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TRANSCRIPT
PASTOR’S LETTER
October 18th was the second occasion when
our church provided a meal to the veterans and their
families at Hines VA. The hospitality center is
called Fisher House, which is a kind of Ronald
McDonald hospitality center for families visiting
VA patients. Many of the veteran-patients have
sustained damage to their eyes and vision. The
hospital unit is often referred to as “the blind unit,”
for indeed many are legally blind.
We had a strong line up of volunteers from
Grace to prepare and serve the food. Also
volunteers assisted in helping manage the sight
limitations while patients navigated the kitchen and
dining room of Fisher House. I happened to sit at a
table with two women, both of whom were from the
blind unit and were war veterans. The younger
woman was a Viet Nam Veteran who spoke at
length about Viet Nam, conscientious objection
policies of that time and now. Naturally she had
complaints about how the controversial nature of
the war was handled and the consequences for
herself and her comrades in arms. The other
woman said she was ninety-two years old and that
she served in WWII. She wanted to talk about how
she was going to manage the winter months. She
identified a town in north central Wisconsin as her
home, but indicated that she could choose to stay in
Florida with family also. Her treatment program, a
refresher training program in managing without
sight, was soon to be ended and she was
apprehensive about leaving the support of unit staff.
The menu was the special recipe of our
men’s group for chili and the hot ingredients for
meat and vegetarian tacos prepared by Lynn Peters
and other women of the church. The response to
the menu was gratifying. So many people reported
that the hospital menu rarely, if ever, has chili and
tacos. So people ate more than one serving and still
had room for the dessert--ice cream, pies and
brownies. After the event, Grace Volunteers
remarked how satisfying it is to do something good
for those who have sacrificed so much for our
nation. Many volunteers had similar stories to tell
about conversations they had over chili and tacos
with patients and family members.
Doing something for others is a way of life
in the church. Jesus clearly directs the attention of
his followers outward when he says, “For the Son of
Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give
his life a ransom for many,” Mark 10:45. Then, to
his disciples, Jesus says that if they are to be his
followers they should set their sights on being
servants of all people. As a result, when we hear of
good deeds done in Jesus’ name, it inspires us to do
more. Yesterday was such an occasion. Grace
Church and Divine Providence cosponsored a fall
retreat at The Center of Palos Park. The guest
speaker was Chela Angelates, a native of Peru, and
the wife of a plastic surgeon on staff at Loyola
University and Medical Center. She told of how the
two of them return to Peru every year, bringing
other physicians and medical personnel to provide
free medical care in the mountains and jungles of
Peru. It wasn’t until she told of the lifesaving
plastic surgeries for burn victims that our group was
able to appreciate the gift of service she and her
husband provide annually. Apparently, open fires
are common for cooking in rural areas and a great
hazard for children. Treatment frees the child to
live normally.
Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas
seasons are soon to be upon us. The Altar Guild,
people who come each week to set the altar and
sanctuary in preparation for Holy Communion and
festival days, will be busy bringing the church
beauty to its fullest. These are the seasons when
church music is most memorable and meaningful.
These are the seasons people remember most when
their minds drift back to childhood Christmas
pageants, distributing food baskets to people in
need, or memories of lights, colors and candles
burning brightly.
As a young boy, sitting in the pew next to
my mother and other family members, I would pass
the service time squinting at the candles on the altar
to see if I could squint streaks of dancing lights in
time with the music. My home church has a very
similar design to that of Grace Church’s. Like
Grace, the stained glass windows are beautiful and
tell the story of new life, joy and faith in a God who
wills only good things for all. The coming festival
days give rhythm and meaning to our life together
as people of faith
Naturally the rhythms of the church
calendar offer you many things to look forward to.
There is everything from the second Saturday of
November Pancake Breakfast to the Service on the
Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving Day,
where we gather in the chapel to give thanks, sing
songs and share our personal thoughts of gratitude.
You can be a part of these things in big ways or
small. So too with Advent and Christmas; the
Children’s Christmas Program will be on Sunday,
December 20th. They will need help with costumes
and a guiding hand before and during the service;
you can create some new memories by jumping in
with both feet.
Most important of all, turn your attention to
the things that are of God: worship, service and
celebration of the gifts of life.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
That time of year is here again! That time of year when, for the cost of $5.00 a ticket, you can have “all you
can eat” pancakes, along with sausage, orange juice, coffee or milk. It just doesn’t get any better than that!
Children 7 years old and under are free.
Tickets have been placed in your mailbox at church. Bring yourself, your relatives, your neighbors…grab
people off the street (only if they want to come!) and show everybody what Grace has to offer.
Plus, the Grace Women will be conducting a bake sale so that after you are done eating, you will be able to
choose from many delicious home baked items to take home and enjoy later on!
Plus, it is a day that is filled with good times, good conversation, good memories and good fellowship!
We will be serving from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. There is a sign-up sheet posted in the Narthex at Grace asking for
volunteers to help with setting up on Friday, November 13th, 6:30 – 9:00, and to help out with serving and
clean up on Saturday, November 14th. Thank you for always supporting us in our fundraising efforts. Your
help and support mean a lot and is truly appreciated!
A raffle/silent auction will be held. Tickets will be available at the breakfast.
SPECIAL SERVICES
For your convenience, here is a list of times and
dates for upcoming special or holiday services:
Thanksgiving Service - 7:00 pm - Wednesday, November 25th
Christmas Program – 10:00 am – Sunday, December 20th
Christmas Eve Services – 4:00 pm and 11:00 pm – December 24th
Christmas Day Service – 10:00 am – December 25th
New Year’s Eve Service – 7:00 pm – December 31st
GRACE NEWS
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
This year’s Christmas Program and Potluck is
scheduled for December 20th. The committee for the
progam will consist of Beth Signore, Joy Wieska,
Marianne Steiner and Amy Burokas. A meeting for
discussing the program is scheduled for November
11th at 7:00 p.m., at church. Two rehearsals for
children and adults are scheduled for December 12th
and 19th. Please let the church office know if you
would like to have your child or children be a part of
the Christmas program. There are always enough
parts to go around!
The Christmas program will be conducted during the
10:00 a.m. Worship Service and the Potluck will be
served almost immediately afterwards. We usually
get the meal underway around 11:45 am. Our menu
is broasted chicken (provided by the GLCW); a ham
is provided along with a variety of homemade dishes
and desserts that our members bring to round out the
rest of the meal. Punch, milk and coffee are the
beverage choices. After enjoying a delicious meal
and dessert, Santa will be making his yearly
appearance to deliver gifts to the boys and girls in
attendance.
A sign-up sheet will be posted for your convenience,
requesting the number of adults and children that will
be attending. Having more or less an exact number
makes it easier to have enough food on hand, making
sure nobody goes away hungry! Having the number
of boys and girls attending helps Santa make sure he
has enough toys in his bag to go around!
The Christmas program is a beautiful service to
attend. Seeing the angelic faces of our youth and
listening to their voices reminds us that it is a
beautiful and special time of year that never gets old.
This time of year tends to make us focus on the many
blessings we have in our lives. It is a time to be
thankful for family and friends, a time to be thankful
for a beautiful church to worship in and a pastor who
lovingly tends to his flock; a time to give thanks for
the privilege of hearing the story of Christ’s birth
being proclaimed throughout our nation.
Most of all, it is a time to be thankful for the birth of
our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Grace Social Gathering
On Wednesday, December 2nd, members of Grace are
invited to dinner at the Westchester Inn at 5:30 p.m.
The Westchester Inn is located in the Village
Commons (31st and Wolf Road), on the east side of
the mall. It is a Czech Restaurant and serves hearty
meals. If you have never been to the Westchester Inn
before, make sure to bring an appetite! We have
checked with the restaurant and they will be glad to
give us individual receipts.
If you could use a ride to the restaurant, please let the
church office, Pastor or Lynn Peters know and one
will be provided for you. As the time approaches,
there will be a sign-up sheet posted on the kiosk in
the Narthex for all interested members to sign up or
you may call the church office at 708-345-1375 and
let the secretary know you are interested in attending.
It will be necessary to give the restaurant a definite
number of people attending so that arrangements can
be made ahead of time.
Copies of the menu are available on the table in the
Narthex in case you would like to look one over.
Hope to see you there!
NEWS from a Former Pastor…
We received an email from Jory Feustel, daughter of
Harvey Feustel, a former pastor at Grace. She
wanted to pass along some information concerning
her parents, Harvey and Gladys. She told us that her
parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
on October 23rd and that they had also recently
moved to Ohio. Their new address is:
Rev. Harvey and Gladys Feustel
c/o Birchaven Heights
15100 Birchaven Lane
APT #117
Findlay, OH 45840
Jory also noted that her father continues his battle
with Parkinson’s disease but that both her dad and
mom are doing well at this time. She said that they
would love to stay in touch with all of the folks they
grew to love during their ministry at Grace Lutheran.
Please send them a note or card at their new address.
They would love to hear from former friends and
members of Grace.
Jory’s email address is [email protected] –
Phone number 847-651-6562.
November
11/1 – In Memory of
Bob Smunt by Vivian
Smunt
11/1 - In Honor of
Pastor Crum’s Birthday by the Grace Congregation
11/8 – In Memory of Florence Galatte by Larry &
Nikki Vaillancourt
There are still open dates for altar flowers for
November and the beginning of December.
Poinsettias will again be ordered in
December to beautify our worship
area. More information on
ordering will be forthcoming in our
Sunday bulletins.
QUILTERS NEEDED
Our group of quilters,
Lois Dama, Ruth Dugo
and Ruth Lorenzen will be
meeting on Wednesday
mornings for quilting
instead of Thursday mornings. The time will be the
same, 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.
If anyone is interested in learning the fine art of
quilting and has time available on Wednesday
mornings, please contact one of the three ladies
mentioned above.
Concerts
The West Towns Chorus invites you to come in and find
“The Heart of Christmas.” This concert will be performed
on Saturday, December 12th, at 2:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m.,
and on Sunday, December 13th, at 2:00 p.m., at the Tivoli
Theater, 5021 Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, IL
60515. All seats are reserved. You may order on-line at
www.WestTowns.org/christmas or call (630) 201-5544.
There are various ticket prices ranging from $27 on down
with a discount of $2 off each full price ticket for ten or
more tickets on one order. A shuttle from the Curtiss
Street parking deck to the Tivoli will be available before
and after each show.
Join us on December 6th, to attend the “Service of
Lessons and Carols” at Concordia University Chicago
located in River Forest. The University Choir and
Orchestra will be performing and those in attendance will
be invited to participate. We will car pool. Meet at Grace
at 2:30 pm. Let the office know if you can provide a car
and driver. There is no charge, but there is an
opportunity for a free will offering. The service starts at
4:00 p.m.; doors open at 3:30 pm.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES?? If you have a wedding anniversary in November or December, please let the Church Office know so that we can add that information to our future Towers.
November Wedding Anniversaries
David Goetz and Marcella Wozniak Elizabeth and Steven Gorr
December Wedding Anniversaries
Al and Joy Wieska, Todd and Tanya Svoboda, Thomas and Diane Lesak
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
4 – Pastor Roger Crum 7 – Kevin Creed 7 - Mack Svoboda 13 – Matthew Svejcar 17 – Lindsey Bruness 19 – Joan Goodman 22 – Jeffrey Voyda 27 – Cheryl Schweikert 29 – Casey Creed
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 - Bill Creed 2 -Thomas Lesak 4 - Bill Reynertson 7 - Dorothy Smith 9 - Carol Flannigan 10 -Joy Wieska 12 -Kathleen Hennessy 13 -Katherine Palucci 14 - Amy Burokas &Steven Gorr 16 - Kristopher Otto 18 - Elizabeth Wiersema 21 - Al Wieska 28 - Andrea Janka & Nicolette Vaillancourt 30 - Leona Steiner 31 - Priya Roberts Jeff Janka, Ryan Kohs, Laila Levy, Vince Palucci, Aiden Kryczka Please help us update our birthdays by sending the missing dates into the church office.
The People of Grace In Our Prayers
Please notify the Church Office of Updates
For Grace Members: Dottie Cmunt, Lois Dama, Ruth Dugo, Don Emerson, Joan Goodman, Peggy Janka, Virginia Justus, Janice Lord, Lorraine Mestek, Beverly Rimpila, Bill Reynertson, Rudy and Ingrid Wesa, Al Wieska, Elaine Zapfel, Ruth Lorenzen, Leona Steiner.
For Family and Friends: Dick Jacobson (husband Kris Jacobson), Cathy Dello, Emily Lovendahl (great grand- daughter of Lorraine Mestek’s sister), Robert Dahlen, (brother of Beverly Rimpila), Kathleen Dama (daughter- in-law of Lois Dama), Michael Dragoon (grandson of Ingrid Wesa), Cindy Hauck (sister of Kathy Hennessy), Eden Jones (daughter in law of Marilyn Jones), Charlotte Rzeminski (former member), Claire Smunt, daughter-in-law of Vivian Smunt and Scott Brooks (brother of Dianne Brooks), Jane Novak.
For Those In the Military: Jason Rose (friend of Mark Holmes), Shawn Saviola (member of the Wisconsin National Guard), Sean Szatkowski (in the Marines – home).
Remembering the Saints… On All Saints Sunday we remembered our loved ones who have passed including three of our members who passed this year:
Roberta Morgano Donald Green Ken Sperlik
We thank God for their lives, their service and friendship to our church and congregation. We ask for God’s grace to comfort their families and may the precious memories of their loved ones help sustain them through this difficult time.
Chili Fundraiser – October 3, 2015
Dedication of Trees for Sandy Voyda and Retired GLOW Staff – October 4, 2015
7 GLOW TEACHERS
Blessing Jan’s Redbud
Blessing Laura’s Magnolia
Fisher House Pot-Luck Dinner – October 18, 2015
Blessing Martha’s Magnolia
Blessing Sandy’s Service Berry
CELEBRATING THE PAST LEADERSHIP GLOW PRESCHOOL
Only a few short years after Grace Church members built the new
facility in 1965, church women saw an opportunity to use the original social
hall and kitchen for preschool age children. The year was 1971. Sandy Voyda
wrote one of the first Annual Reports to the Congregation about GLOW
Preschool for the January 1980 Annual Meeting of the Congregation. Sandy
wrote the following history dated 1979:
"In January 1971 GLOW (Grace Lutheran of Westchester) Preschool
had one morning and one afternoon session. Our morning session of four year
olds met on Mon., Wed., Fri., from 9-11:30AM. There were 14 children in that
session. Our afternoon session of three year olds met Mon. & Wed., from 1-
3PM. There were 13 children in that session."
Sandy went on to note that after six years of teaching and assisting,
beginning 1973, she became the Director of GLOW Preschool in 1979. As one
of our senior members of Grace said this week, “Well, Sandy built GLOW!”
Even after retiring as director in 1994, Sandy returned in times of transition to see to it that the mission
of GLOW’s care of children and families would seamlessly continue.
Sandy enjoys golf and travel. She has had many memorable rounds of golf with family and
friends at Hilton Head South Carolina. She has made numerous trips to a cottage in Wisconsin and to
Hawaii. Sandy continues to be an active member of Grace Church singing in the choir. The tree which
is dedicated in her name is a Service Berry (clump) Tree which has beautiful flowers in the spring and
berries for birds in late summer.
The team of Martha Hoekstra, Jan Jawor, and Laura Leibundguth (left to right) provided a
spiritual as well as educational powerhouse of leadership for the children and families of GLOW. When
Jan announced that she was retiring in 2012. Both Laura and Martha decided that they too would move
on with their lives. But their coming together was indeed spirit led. Each came to this team with their
own outstanding history in early childhood education. By 2012 Laura had been teaching at GLOW for
19 years. Since leaving GLOW, Laura has been employed as a patient coordinator for Girling Home
Health in North Riverside. Laura and her husband Bill spend many weekends at their family's lake
home in Wisconsin relaxing and remodeling. They also have a new family member, Willie, a
Newfoundlander puppy.
Martha had directed her own Preschool for a full career. Her husband's illness and passing
caused Martha to move out of retirement to volunteer her expertise to the already forceful leadership of
Jan and Laura. Soon Martha was offered a small salary to make it official. Martha joined the team in
2005. In her retirement Martha enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially her six
grandchildren. Four of them are now teenagers, which is a new kind of fun. Martha is active in her
church Bible Study Fellowship and has become a Stephens Minister--special training to walk alongside
individuals who are going through difficult times. Martha also enjoys travelling. She is only a few days
from having returned from the Netherlands.
Jan became the Director of GLOW in 1995. She came to the church a few days ago and spoke
about the memories that make her smile. Just thinking about working with Laura and Martha, makes Jan
smile, and their collective sense of being blessed to be in a workplace where they could live out their
dreams of teaching and nurturing the development of these young children. And how in tune they each
were with one another. Jan said, "sometimes the expressions on the faces of children as they mastered
things comes flashing in my memory." The memory of the Westchester Flood made her laugh as she
recalled it. "Where did all the helping people come from," she mused. What makes her smile and even
laugh in awe is, of course, not the hardship of it, but the amazing outpouring of help from so many
unexpected places.
Jan's favorite thing in her retirement is spending time with her two grandchildren ages five and
two. Every week she drives to their home in LaSalle, Illinois for a day or two. Retirement also allows
Jan time for exploring her interest in improving her health, diet, and exercise. Since leaving GLOW,
both of her parents have passed away. Being retired gave her more time to spend with them and help
them with their needs.
The very first Psalm speaks of people whose hearts are filled with God's grace and joy. "They are
trees planted by streams of water. In all they do, they prosper." Today we dedicate four trees, a Redbud
tree, two Magnolia trees and a Service Berry tree in honor of their commitment and service of children
and families of GLOW Preschool. Thank you Sandy, Jan, Laura and Martha. May God continue to
bless each of you.
◄ Oct 2015 ~ November 2015 ~ Dec 2015 ►
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Sunday School 10:15 – 10:50
2
3
4
5 9:30 – 12:00 Noon Quilters 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir Practice
6
7 8:00 PM – AA Meeting
8
9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Sunday School 10:15 – 10:50
9
10
11
7:00 PM – Council Meeting 6:30 pm – Christmas Program Committee Meeting
12 9:30 – 12:00 Noon Quilters 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir Practice
13 6:30 – 9:00 PM – Set Up for Pancake Breakfast
14 8:00 – 1:00 PM
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
8:00 PM – AA Meeting
15 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Sunday School 10:15 – 10:50
16
17
18
19 9:30 – 12:00 Noon Quilters 6:30 – 9:30 PM – Ham Radio Club Meeting 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir Practice
20 9:00 AM – Set Up for NIROC Bird Fair
21 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM NIROC Bird Fair 8:00 PM – AA Meeting
22
9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Sunday School 10:15 – 10:50
23
24
25 7:00 PM – Thanksgiving Eve Service
26 HAPPY THANKSGIVING
27
28 8:00 PM – AA Meeting
29 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Sunday School 10:15 – 10:50
30
◄ Nov 2015 ~ December 2015 ~ Jan 2016 ►
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2 5:30 PM – Grace Social Gathering at Westchester Inn
3 9:30 – 12:00 Noon Quilters 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir Practice
4
5 8:00 PM – AA Meeting
6
9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Sunday School
10:15 – 10:50 Service of Lessons & Carols at Concordia - Meet at Grace at 2:30 PM
7
8
9 7:00 PM – Council Meeting
10 9:30 – 12:00 Noon Quilters 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir Practice
11
12 10:00 AM – Christmas Program Rehearsal 8:00 PM – AA Meeting
13
9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship
Sunday School 10:15 – 10:50
14
15
16
17 9:30 – 12:00 Noon Quilters 6:30 – 9:30 PM – Ham Radio Club Meeting 7:00 – 8:00 PM – Choir Practice
18
19 10:00 AM – Christmas Program Rehearsal
8:00 PM – AA Meeting
20
9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship CHRISTMAS PROGRAM WITH POT-LUCK TO FOLLOW
21
22
23
24 4:00 – Christmas Eve Service 11:00 – Christmas Eve Service
25 10:00 – Christmas Day Service MERRY CHRISTMAS
26
8:00 PM – AA Meeting
27 9:00 – 9:45 AM – Adult Bible Study 10:00 AM Worship Healing Service Sunday School
10:15 – 10:50
28
29
30
31 7:00 – New Year’s Eve Service
Note
Grace Lutheran Church
1101 Manchester Avenue
Westchester, IL 60154
(708) 345-1375
Postage
THE GRACE TOWER – Nov.-Dec.