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Upcoming Events… Small Groups this week

Sat. (5/13) – Ladies’ Day Out

Sun. (5/14) – 9:30a – Breakfast

10:30a – Worship

Looking Ahead

Fri. (5/19) – Personal Care Pantry 4p-6p

Women of Hope 6:30p

Sat. (5/20) – Men’s Breakfast 8a OP Denny’s

Sun. (5/21) – Intro to Membership Lunch

Sun. (5/28) – Memorial Day Weekend –

Outdoor Service

Symphony 2p

Love Bears All Things

This Sunday is Mother's Day. We will

celebrate the blessings of family, and

especially our mothers who have invested so

much in our lives. The Scripture reading is

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

May 11, 2017

Keep In Prayer

Continue to uphold in prayer, Chuck

McMillan who is hospitalized at Silver Cross

Hospital. Pray for his healing as well as for

Janet in her care giving responsibilities.

Confirmation

Confirmation Sunday will be June 4th. We

surround our students Ryan, Eli, Abigail,

Carly and Kate with our support and prayers

as they prepare for this special day.

Pancakes All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast, Saturday

May 6th, 8:30-11:30 AM, $5:00 at the door, all

proceeds to benefit the CHIC 2018 fund in

support of our high school students who are

planning to attend.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to

invite someone to “eat” with you and expose

them to our church in a very non-threatening

way.

Memorial Day Weekend Sunday, May 28th we will enjoy an outdoor

worship service, beginning at 10 a.m. followed

by a shared meal. Sign up in the cafe to bring a

side dish to share if able. Chicken and desserts

will be provided. Make this a part of your

holiday experience.

Our summer schedule begins May 28th. No

Homecoming hour and worship begins at

10:00 a.m.

Ladies’ Day Out

Saturday, May 13th

Let's get together and enjoy a day at the

French Market! Morris, Illinois will host

vendors from all over the area at its monthly

French Hen's Market. Pick up an information

sheet at the WOH ministry board for full

details.

You will receive an email reminder. Please

reply all if you would like to carpool to

Morris.

Graduates If you have a graduate (at any level), please let

Pastor Evan or Lisa Dailey know.

Serving This Week

Nursery: Karen Bergstrom

Preschool Table: Parent Led

Breakfast: Kenya Raichart, Karen Wikholm,

Karen Bergstrom, Dorothy Bordner & Jean

Cagwin

Introduction to Membership

Luncheon

Considering becoming a member? Please

come to a luncheon May 21st immediately

following the worship service. You will be

able to ask questions and learn more aqbout

Hope.

Women’s Fall Fellowship Registration forms are in for the annual

WMCC Women's Fall Fellowship Retreat at

Covenant Harbor. Stop by the WOH ministry

board or see Kenya for materials.

Summer Camp Hope wants every student with an interest in

attending one of our Covenant Camps to be

able to do so, and will provide financial

assistance to help. Assistance request forms

are available on the Information

Table. Complete the form and return it to

Marilyn Cokely who will review the requests

on behalf of the Leadership Team.

Words from Evan (Written in preparation for last week's message, in case you missed it!)

We live in a time when people often report feeling disconnected in a hyper connected world. How is

it possible, when communicating has never been easier, that so many feel lonely and isolated, seeking

purpose and significance? Consider this:

The bible presents several accounts of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus. One of my

favorites is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 21. It begins as a fishing story, with several of the

disciples, most significantly Peter, resuming their previous occupation.

The fish are not entering the nets, and unknown to them at the time, Jesus calls out to them from the

shore, offering some fishing advice.

It is remarkable that Peter and the others go along with an apparent stranger’s instructions, because

as a general principle, people don’t like to be told how to do their jobs.

In this story, going along yields great success and when all is said and done, they have a catch of 153

fish.

The text suggests that they figured out it was Jesus instructing them, and on the shore they find that

he has prepared them breakfast, broiled fish and bread. They share a meal together.

What happens next is even more remarkable, for Jesus, we like to say, “reinstates” Peter to his

position of authority. You might remember it was Peter, who during the arrest and abusive treatment

of Jesus denied that he even knew him three times. Here on the beach, Jesus asks him if he, Peter, loves

him. Three times.

With each acclamation of his love, Peter is given Kingdom instructions: “Feed my lambs…take care

of my sheep…feed my sheep.” The care and nurturing of the believers is given to this leader of the

disciples.

I like that after the resurrection, Jesus was not instantly transported into the heavenly realm. He

intentionally sought connection with his closest friends and followers, seeking them out, even though

they were living in fear, or beginning to act like it was time for everything to return to “normal.” We

learn that the heart of God craves connection with us. It is why he sent the incarnate Son to repair the

great divide. It is why Jesus was willing to go to the cross. It is why Jesus was not willing to leave Peter

in his failure and shame. The truth of Jesus represents the great restoration of our sacred relationship

with our Creator; it was a costly act of sacrifice that reveals the abundance of His grace.

We will always be lonely, afraid and shamed until we find our peace with Jesus, our Savior. He

transforms us from the inside out; we discover real connection that is not altered by life’s difficult

circumstances or spotty wifi. Remember today that he came for you, and it is his Spirit that calls you to

go deeper into spiritual truth with him.

experiencing christ growing in community serving compassionately

Homecoming Schedule

May 7th – Classes/Confirmation

May 14th - Breakfast

May 21st - Classes/Confirmation

May 28th – No Homecoming Hour; Begin

Summer Schedule

Women of Hope We will be meeting at 6:30 - 8:00 pm on May

19th for prayer and Bible study. Check the

bookshelf Ministry Board for full details.

Personal Care Pantry

Please be in prayer for our Personal Care

Pantry partnership with Love, INC. Pray that

more churches join the effort and for word to

spread in the community about this service.

The pantry will be open to pre-screened clients

of Love, INC on the 3rd Friday of the month

from 4-6 p.m. Homebound Members

Please be in prayer for our elder and home-

bound members. We cherish their long

commitment and investment in the life of our

church. A card, call or visit will be much

appreciated. See Pastor Evan for additional

information.

Men’s Breakfast

The men will meet Saturday, May 20th at 8:00

AM for breakfast at Denny's in Orland Park.

Enjoy fellowship, great food and

encouragement for our faith journey.