westchester community church · 05/28 allan boyd, cathe flynn, kyle boyd 05/29 jennifer tavernier...
TRANSCRIPT
Westchester Community Church A United Church of Christ 1840 Westchester Blvd. Westchester, Illinois 60154
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage PAID
Bellwood, IL Permit No. 42
Label
Westchester Community Church
A United Church of Christ
Sunday Worship 10am
Ministry provided for Members and Non-Members
Active Member Westchester Chamber of Commerce
60 Years of Loving God and Caring for Our Community
Come and Visit Us!
Westchester Community Church United Church of Christ 1840 Westchester Blvd Westchester, Illinois 60154
(708) 865-1282 WCC Website: www.westchesterucc.org Church email: [email protected] Rev. Joseph E. Mills, III Pastor UCSI Website: www.ucctamilchurch.com
Sunday Service 10:00 am
Office Hours Monday-Thursday 8:00 am—4:30 pm
Friday 8—Noon
Volume 26 Issue 2 Issue Date April 27, 2020
...continued on page 2
“SIGNS OF HOPE”
It is too easy right now to be depressed, sad, frustrated, or
angry. I wanted you to hear things from a different perspective.
Signs of Hope:
-Within one week, we had raised over $400 to get Coffee to
our police and fire departments, our local nursing home and area
hospitals. The program has started—a sign of Hope!
- For Easter Sunday, we had 150 people on our Zoom
worship! Meghan Kasanders and her friend sang and played a special piece of music;
Jeremiah Fleming and his family sang and played a special piece of music; Cathe Flynn, Barb
and Pastor Joe Mills delivered 100 communion kits (all we could get) to as many people as
we could—and had communion. Others got whatever bread/crackers/juice/wine—and had
communion together!! - Signs of Hope!
- I was able to do two weddings on people’s front lawns. One was right down the
street on the Boulevard, one was in Melrose Park. One was in reaction to the wedding being
cancelled, and the bride’s mother dying a week after the wedding would have been. The other
was in concern for a mother with advanced stage 4 lung cancer. Both weddings were
beautiful! Cars lined the street with people honoring “distancing”. Neighbors went on to
their front lawns and shouted blessings. Cars passed by and honked! -Signs of Hope!
- In the last week, I have personally talked to 3 people who were violently ill with
Covid 19. They have recovered! Several others in our prayer list have gotten better—Signs
of Hope!
- In the last week, I have learned over a dozen new things to do with my computer
(other than throwing it out the window). I have been able to teach more than a dozen
members how to use Zoom, and a couple of members how to even use a computer and
emails!! I have never been a Luddite, a person who hates technology.
Inside this issue: Pg Thank You’s 2
Prayers 7 Come Study with Us 8
Youth Activities 9
WCC Activities 4-6, 8 Community Activities 11
I love to learn. But I’m like most people: some things I catch on to quickly; other things
slowly. By the way—a Luddite is a person who hates technology and tries to undermine it
because of fear it will replace people (and I actually appreciate that some technology does hurt
workers in search of profit). The original Luddites were in England, textile workers who
formed a secret society to destroy the “power looms” that were replacing employees by the
droves. I’m not at all a Luddite like that. But I really appreciate how terrifying computers can
be to people who have never used them. For the people who have taken the time to try to learn
them and overcome their fear—A Sign of Hope!
- Several members of our church took it on themselves to call up other members and
start checking in on them regularly. I put together a calling list of members, and am pleased to
learn how many people have made multiple calls, prayed with other members, and helped keep
people connected. Others have called up members, and during worship put up their phones to
their computer so others could worship by phone! - Signs of Hope!
- Several members have contacted shut-ins and older members, and routinely delivered
groceries, run errands, and helped get people to their doctors—Signs of Hope!
- Our Confirmands have been meeting for Zoom, and have helped the one person who
would have been the “sole” confirmand for next year begin to catch up so that person can be
confirmed with the rest of them—for their commitment and willingness to care—Signs of
Hope!
- For our front-line workers and volunteers, their immense patience with rudeness, un-
kindness (which I have personally seen), and their willingness to really try to help –I am
amazed and thankful. I stop and talk to every cashier, postal worker, garbage collector,
officers, nurse that I know. For their immense compassion and bravery—Signs of Hope!
- For the members of the church and community members making masks, donating
items. For the restaurant owners supplying food for free, even as their businesses are suffering,
because they care more about the health of someone else—Signs of Hope!
- For your giving, caring, and above all, for knowing how many of you are truly praying
for others—Bless you. Bless you. Bless you.—You are a Sign of Hope!
We will continue to keep our office open. We take calls, do what we can. We will hold
worship every week—in this Column are the ways to get on with computer or phone to our
Sunday worship and Bible Study via Zoom. And you can always call in to ask for help.
We will get through this. And we will learn better practices.
Be safe. Be smart. Help if you can. Pray.
In the love of Jesus -
Advocate Health Care is in need of the following: Masks, Hand Sanitizer, Dis-
infectant Wipes and unused scrubs If you have any of these items, please con-
tact the church office or Advocate Aurora directly to donate these items.
The line-up is as follows:
April 24 - Frank Pellico-Blackhawks Organist
May 1 - Glenn Tallar
May 8 - Judy Matarelli
May 15 -Jim Patak
May 22 - Taylor Trimby
May 29 - Carl DeSanti
Aug 5 - Dennis Nawracaj
A Prayer of Thanksgiving for Reverend
Joseph E. Mills, III, Pastor of West-
chester Community Church. We give
God thanks for his service, love and com-
mitment for our worship community, the
Village of Westchester and its surround-
ing communities.
During this time of uncertainty, fear and
this temporary “new norm”, Reverend
Mills spent endless hours researching the
best affordable options for uninterrupted
weekly worship. He scheduled and led
Holy Week services with the use of tech-
nology. He has kept regular contact with
our sick and shut-ins, praying for all of
us, our family and our personal concerns;
performing a marriage ceremony on a
couples front lawn, supporting families
who have lost loved one (members and
non-members) during this restricted time
of distance awareness, supporting our
first responders; and performing some
long awaited housekeeping needs in the
church office building. Thank you, Rev-
erend Mills, for your commitment to our
worship community and its surrounding
communities and beyond.
We also give thanks for our Church Ad-
ministrator, Susan Becerra, for support-
ing Pastor Mills and the on-going opera-
tion of the church office and performing
extraordinary duties as needed. Also, for
our musician, custodian and various
boards and committees who continued to
perform weekly responsibilities, includ-
ing delivering communion packages to
parishioners for our Easter Sunday wor-
ship service, while following best prac-
tice guidelines for staying safe. For all of
you we give thanks.
- Carolyn Savage
Pastor Joe, Thank you so very much for
being there for our family. My Mom so
enjoyed your visits “on the loveseat”, and
enrichment of her spiritual life. We’re
very appreciative. Jill Cahill daughter
of Grace Duhasek
Pastor Joe, Thank you so much. You’ve
made us feel so special during this crisis.
May God and Blessed Mother Bless you
always. We Love you!! The Principe
Wedding
SUPPORT OUR CABINET &
OUR COMMITTEES
Our Cabinet meets every 4th Tuesday of the
month, and is open to anyone to come and
learn (7 pm)
Our newest slate of officers was recently
elected, with Carol Hoppe being our
Moderator and Noreen Love our
Vice-Moderator.
A full list of officers and committee mem-
bers is available in the narthex.
Please pray for, and support our officers
and committees.
**and you don’t have to be elected to help
You can even be a friend of the church—
When you see an opportunity,
Come and help!!
**We will send out an email with the Zoom
Link if interested in watching!
We also have weekly worship on Sundays
at 10 am. in the form of a Zoom Meet-
ing. If you would like to be invited please
send us our email address or you can go
directly to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81596454368
Meeting ID: 815 9645 4368
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81596454368# US
(Chicago)
+16465588656,,81596454368# US (New
York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 815 9645 4368
Find your local number: https://
us02web.zoom.us/u/kdqxXobKK5
PASTOR JOE NOW HAS A ZOOM BI-
BLE STUDY FOR WEDNESDAY
MORNINGS 10 A.M.—IF
INTERESTED, MAKE SURE YOUR
EMAIL IS IN TO THE OFFICE SO
YOU CAN BE INVITED TO ATTEND!!
This is the information for the next few
Bible Studies:
Every week on Wed, until May 13, 2020, 7
occurrence(s)
Apr 29, 2020 10:00 AM
May 6, 2020 10:00 AM
May 13, 2020 10:00 AM
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/961336622
Meeting ID: 961 336 622
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81596454368# US
(Chicago)
+16465588656,,81596454368# US (New
York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 815 9645 4368
Find your local number: https://
us02web.zoom.us/u/kdqxXobKK5
YOUTH GROUP
Upcoming Activities:
Summer Mission Trip
We may not do a long-range trip
this year, to help protect our youth.
If possible, we may put together
some mini-mission trips to Tower
Hill if allowed to do so!
Please recycle Aluminum cans to
raise funds for our Youth Group!!
Please bring them the first Sunday of
the month. Cans can be left in the
boiler room or by the blue recycling
can near the back door.
WESTCHESTER FUN FEST Is cancelled.
Look for the possibility of a special
Labor Day event-your Chamber and
Village are discussing this right now!
May Birthdays
05/01 James Jr. Patak, Savannah Franks
05/03 Marilyn Kostohryz, Daniel Kadolph
05/06 Kristen Coleman
05/07 Nicollette Vergara
05/08 Mark Henning, Jean Stanger, Charlotte
Schwass, Betsy Grimm
05/10 Malar Raj Kanaka
05/11 Dolores Patak
05/12 Otis Randle, Jennifer Else,
Sarah Vrablic
05/16 Henry Luebeck
05/19 Cepella Randle, Wayne Scharlach
05/20 Joe Augello
05/21 Katherine Straube
05/22 Claire Pedersen
02/23 Andy Straube
05/24 Isabelle Brumwell
05/25 Dee Norton
05/26 Eric Franks
05/27 Rev. Godwin Raj Kanaka
05/28 Allan Boyd, Cathe Flynn, Kyle Boyd
05/29 Jennifer Tavernier
05/31 Max Voegtle
May Anniversaries
05/03 Laura& William Leibundguth, 39 yrs.
Jennifer & Robert Tavernier, 16yrs.
05/04 Gery and Mary Kniesel, 7 yrs.
05/07 Nicollette and Luis Vergara, 9 years
05/09 Shirley & Robert Wachowski, 11 yrs.
05/14 Sue & Jim McCulloch, 65 yrs.
05/15 Mary & Rev. Phil Hobson, 21 yrs.
05/16 Rose Ann & Al Glazier, 11 years
05/18 Jennifer & Andy Straube, 13 yrs.
05/22 Noreen Love & Shirley Patton, 21 yrs
05/27 Tina & Craig Marousek, 36 yrs.
HELP OUR FOOD PANTRIES
We regularly collect food for St. Johns
church, our church and Westchester
Food Pantry. We especially need
Peanut Butter, Pasta and Spaghetti
Sauce (our Pantries tell us we really need these!!) We also collect per-
sonal products such as liquid soap for
the Fisher House for Vets, toothpaste,
toothbrushes, combs, shaving cream,
lip gloss, etc. for the men and women
at Hines VA Hospital and the
women’s and children’s shelter. There
are boxes in the back of the church for
these items . Thanks, Your Mission
Board
COME STUDY WITH US
The Wednesday Bible
Study meets Wednesdays, 9:30 am, West-
chester Health and Rehabilitation Cen-
ter.
If you would like to join us for Bible
Study via Zoom, either call or email us
your email address.
Faith Conversations will start up
again as soon as quarantining ends
It is a new year and you keep saying, “I
want to get my pictures in a scrap-
book”. That time is now, come join us
for the upcoming scrapbooking dates:
Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30.
Join us Friday or Saturday or both days.
On Friday’s we scrapbook from 6 pm to
11 pm and Saturday’s hours are 9:00 am
to 11:00 pm Call Barb Mills for de-
tails 708/562-0759 (we may end up
meeting on Zoom). We have a lot of
fun and we get a lot of work done.
WCC Mission Card Makers may meet
Saturday, May 30 depending on the
COVID19 from 10 am to 2 pm in Fel-
lowship Hall for their next greeting card
making session. Cards will be distrib-
uted to military personnel worldwide
and those being treated in VA hospitals.
Come join the group. All supplies are
on hand. Lunch is $5 or bring a sack
lunch. As before, some cards will find
their way to FFH during coffee hour and
fish fries. Take a card, send a note to
someone who needs a bit of cheer or
comfort. A free-will donation is appre-
ciated for supplies and postage and to
support church-related mission projects.
Coordinators Charlene Dolnics, Ar-
lene Ivers and Helga
Mendoza. RSVP/Questions, contact
Charlene 708/345-1816.
The Women’s Tower Hill Retreat of
May 29—31, is cancelled due to the Co-
rona virus health concerns.
BUY A CARD FROM MANNA
EACH MONTH—AND HELP
OUR CHURCH!!
When you buy a Gift Card from
MANNA, a percentage of it (you get
what you pay for) goes to help our
church!! Take a form, and see how
many businesses you already use will
take these Gift Cards!! Manna order
blanks are available in the church of-
fice or narthex. Make checks payable
to WCC. Orders are due the last Sun-
day of the month with the distribution
on the second Sunday of the month. If
you have questions, please call Sue
Becerra in the church office 708/865
-1282 or
Charlene Dolnics 708/345-1816.
PLEASE DONATE MONEY TO
HELP OUR CHURCH
“He is not fool who gives what he
cannot keep, to gain what he cannot
lose.”
- Missionary Jim Elliott
You can send a check to the church!
We are in process, right now,,
Of getting an on-line giving vehicle to
put on our Facebook Page.
For now—give as you can—
But first help your family!
For those who have come by the
church to do a project, or help in any
way—a special thank you!!
Remember to place our church in your
will or estate, or make a special gift to
our
Endowment or to a special ministry of
our church!! - you can give forever by
doing this!!
DOWN THE ROAD
ACTIVITIES
May 9—Plant Sale Pickup (9 a.m.)
We will deliver to you if need
May 9—Pet Blessing—11 a.m.
If allowed to do so.
Our local B.E.D.S. shelter is in need
of the following:
Bottles of Hawaiian Punch and Ap-
ple Juice, 12 cases of soda pop, fruit
snacks and good snacks. Bring
them to the church office and we
will get them to B.E.D.S.
CHURCH WEBSITE
Our new website is:
www.westchesterucc.org
Our new site is up and running.
Take a look– and if you have a
suggestion—let Sue Becerra know!!
BE ON OUR NOTIFICATION
EMAIL LIST: Please call or email the
church office Westcom-
[email protected]) with your email or
phone contact if you’d like to be on a
prayer notification list.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP!
1) Wash your hands thoroughly & any
surfaces you touch!
2) Don’t go out more than you need to
3) PRAY FOR ALL HEALTH CARE
WORKERS-nursing homes, hospi-
tals, doctors offices, and emergency
workers
4) Don’t buy more than commonsense
tells you to
5) Pay attention to your neighbors,
especially those who cannot easily
get out—and find out if they need
anything
6) Use your phone to actually talk to
people and check in on them—
many people crave relationship and
just need to hear a direct and loving
voice
7) Stay away from large groups
8) Continue to shop—you can do
curbside pickup at many places—
just be wise
9) Call other members of the church
and check in on them—better to
have several people call than none!!
10) PRAY for healing, wisdom, and di-
rection in this time.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to
the Lemme Family
on the birth of their
daughter Rachel
Nicole Lemme born
on March 26th. 8# -
9 oz. 23” long
Congratulations on the
Marriage of Tara Polcyn
and Joseph Pecora on
April 11th
Congratulations on
the Marriage of
Amber Kachirou-
bas and James
Principe on April
16th
We grieve with the following families the Smith family in the death of Dick Smith, we
learned of the death of Narda Ligon, who was an active member of our Wednesday Bible
Study, Isaac Johnson in the death of his wife, Meg Gregory passed away , no services will
be held in this area. Please send condolences to her daughter Barbara Brownell, 4131
Riverview Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34209, The Dusahek and Cahill families in the death of
long-time member (she was 100) Grace Duhasek; and with our Illinois Conference family
in the death of former Conference President Dave Madsen, and a wonderful couple down
the street (whose wedding I was to do one week ago) - in the death of the bride’s mother—
Carol Polcyn, Peggy Boswell and the Boswell family in the death of her brother
Kenneth Boswell, former member Laverne Smiricki.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
PEOPLE AT THEIR HOMES: Keith Hoffman, Charlie Kadolph, Howie Linville, Gabri-
ella Felson, Sandy Tavernier, Bill Milleville & Nancy (whose house burned down), Kay
Ulicny, Jack and Ellie Merritt, Pat Kabbe, Linda Belice, Lou Bender, Shirley Felske, Howie
Linville, Diane Gati, Hank Luebeck, Sue McCulloch, Pastor Godwin Raj, Horst Kniesel,
Walt & Lil Suva, Pat Von Laven, Lulling Savage, Serena Ivers & Chris, Delores Patak, Kim
Powers, Gloria Dearmore, Elayne Dalheim, Milton and Patricia Ladner, Michael Kelstrom,
Eva Poulos
PEOPLE SERVING OUR COUNTRY OVERSEAS: Scott Johnson, Tyler Kimbler
PEOPLE AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES: Terry Samonds -Sturgeon Bay; Ann
Stvan —Bridgeway, Steve Tomporowski – Wisconsin; FRIENDS TO KEEP IN
PRAYERS: Alston family, Andrew, James (6 mos. old), Sandra Bempah (out of a coma!),
Bill Bosch, Sue Brown, Darryl Christy (just went home), Beverly Cobb, Sharon Eckstein,
Lee Ellis, LeVander Ellis, Judy Farley, Ruth Flom, Thomas Fritz, Kylie Grayson, Herman
Goodloe, Ann & Ken Hall -Ann in hospice, Mason Hauhe, Ed & Dorothy Ivers, Arlean
Johnson, Charlie Kadolph, Deborah Kaminski, Melody Keppeler, Brian King, Alvin Klein,
Simone Knight, Velta Kopacek, Janice Kostka, Maxx Kusper (friend of Tina Marousek hit
by train), Joe Kyncl, Joanne Locigno, Jaime Lusk, John Lusk, Mark Mandarino, April
Marin, Gabriel Meier, Diane Otters, PingPing, Kaleb Ramirez, Angela Rice, Bob Rosner,
Alena Sanders, Sandy Shea, Sherrie Simpson, Katie Szymanski, Howie VanBevern, Wil-
liams family, Cam Wright
PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED: (all the people at Westchester Health & Rehab & other nurs-
ing care and retirement centers—on lock down for preventative measures)