December, 2012

Musings

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church 41 North Park Boulevard

Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137-5713

To be stewards of God’s

abundance by living in

relationship with God through

Christ and with each other,

extending ourselves and our

blessings to the world.

Church Phone: (630) 469-2361 Jim Honig ext. 222 Heidi Johns ext. 224 Charisse Jensen ext. 232 Terri Johnson ext. 223 Pam Voves ext. 244 Todd Carrico ext. 227 Jen Bradbury ext. 228 Sue Cheshire ext. 226 Eileen Glynn ext. 233 Sally Stauber ext. 229 Carla Aufdengarten ext. 230 Church Fax: (630) 469-2371 Church Web Site: http://www.faithonline.org Rainbow Place: (630) 469-6219 E.S.S.E.: (630) 858-1005

Sunday Worship Schedule

7:30 am Communion * 8:45 am Communion *10:00 am Education Hour *11:00 am Communion *Nursery Available

Weekday Worship 9:15 am (M-Thurs.) Morning Prayer See page 2 for the Christmas Schedule

That poor, now nameless, innkeeper. For thousands of years, the poor guy has been vilified because he put out the “No Vacancy” sign when Joseph and Mary showed up needing a room for an imminent child-birth. We don’t really know the circumstances. All Luke tells us is that the Holy Family bedded down for the night with the barnyard animals because there was no room for them in the inn. Part of our indignation is the sense that a certain bare minimum measure of hospitality is demanded, especially for someone who shows up with such great need. The church also is a place where hospitality is demanded. When we all gather on Sunday mornings, we come as invited guests of the Lord Jesus; he invites us into his Word and to dine at his table of grace. No one can claim a place of deserving. We are all guests. To see ourselves as guests puts a different perspective on how we show hospitality to others who come as guests on any given Sunday morning. See, we can’t greet our guests as visitors to an exclusive club where we are the owners and they are simply prospective members. We greet our guests with the warmth, humility, and grace that we have already received as fellow guests. Our Unbinding series, some reading, and a synod conference have given me some opportunity to think about our own hospitality here at Faith. So, I’ve got some proposals to help us think and act more hospitably.

1. Say hello. It doesn’t matter whether someone has been here a short time or a long time, say hello.To make a simple greeting is so much more than an expected cultural norm. It’s acknowledging the other, saying something important about their personhood, that they matter enough for you to notice them. In the rural culture of Nebraska where I grew up, when you pass someone on the road, you wave, whether you know the person or not, whether you recognize the vehicle or not. To the uninitiated, such friendliness can seem a little odd, yet I think it has something to do with the simple acknowledgement of human contact and human community. To say “hello” is the very least we can do.

2. Purge the term visitor. The language we use of visitor and member contributes to a subtle distinction of insiders and outsiders. We who are members are the insiders and the visitors are the outsiders who we view as prospective insiders. In the church, any categorization of us and them is never very helpful. So, let’s use the language of guests and remember that when we greet guests whom we’ve never met before, we are welcoming them as folks who are just like we are, guests of a gracious God in God’s house.

3. Purge the term new member. It just doesn’t matter all that much how long anyone has been a member. We talk about new members and long-time members and charter members. Here again, we set up an unconscious distinction between those who “own” the place and those who are still trying to figure things out, making another us and them distinction. So, from now on, here at Faith, we

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have only members. When someone joins, he or she is a member. And it also means that in our conversation we’re going to put a moratorium on talking about how long we’ve been a member. How long you’ve been a member doesn’t really tell us anything significant about you. So, let’s ask each other about things that tell us about what matters to us, questions like: What do you find meaningful about being a member of Faith? What do you like about living in this community or this area? How is God at work in your life? What’s your ministry in the world?

4. Find a different image for the church than family. As I’ve been suggesting, the language we use gives us mental frameworks and leads to certain kinds of behaviors. And to use the language of family for church is fraught with all kinds of peril. I’ll only mention one of them here. There is no social construct that is more closed to outsiders than a family. Most of us love our families; our families have been important to us. But they are just that: families, made up of biological ties of loyalty and affection. Try spending a holiday or going to a family reunion as an outsider. The conversation will be filled with inside jokes and references to episodes that happened years ago and stories told incompletely because everyone else knows the details.

Of course, if we’re going to stop using a very common metaphor for the local congregation, then we need to have other images ready at hand. In fact, the New Testament is rich in a variety of images for the church. Maybe the answer is not to think of ourselves using only one image, but to adopt the variety of portraits that emerge from the New Testament. Here are a few of them:

• a community of faith

• an alternative community

• a household of justice

• a visible sign of God’s kingdom

The most common thread in the above, clearly, is the church as community. The image implies relationship, connection, belonging, bringing the outsider into the fellowship. Our congregation as a community has to be a place of extravagant hospitality in which our hospitality is seen not as a task to be checked off a list; rather, extravagant hospitality is a way to be, an embodiment of the radical hospitality God has demonstrated to us by inviting us into God’s own reign. Extravagant hospitality regards the wonder of the other person, a curiosity about what makes him or her unique, and a determination to see God in that other person. Extravagant hospitality is redemptive, it breaks down barriers, and it gives life. So in this season when the wonder of God becoming human flesh is at the heart of our celebration, let’s make a new and determined commitment to be a community of warm, gracious, humble, and extravagant hospitality.

We prepare for the coming of the Christ child.

Our Sunday Worship Services are: 7:30, 8:45 and 11:00 am

First Sunday in Advent: December 2 Second Sunday in Advent: December 9 Third Sunday in Advent: December 16 Fourth Sunday in Advent: December 23

Christmas Eve Worship: Monday, December 24 Family Services: 3:00 and 5:00 pm

Candlelight Services: 8:00 and 10:00 pm

Christmas Day Worship: Tuesday, December 25 at 10:00 am

First Sunday of Christmas: Sunday, December 30, 7:30, 8:45 and 11:00 am

• a community of reconciliation

• a home for the homeless

• a community of resistance

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Advent Daily Prayer

Looking for a daily reflection book for the Advent season? Perhaps after the Unbinding Your Heart series you are just getting warmed up to the practice of daily reading and journaling.

Dietreich Bonhoeffer’s, God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas offers poignant, daily devotions that can guide and inspire you as you move through the Advent and Christmas seasons. Each week has a theme; waiting, mystery, redemption, incarnation and joy. A daily Scripture passage is supplemented by an informative introduction and short excerpts from Bonhoeffer’s letters and Christmas sermons.

Here you will find timeless devotions and moving reminders of the true gifts of Christmas. Books are available from The Bookstore in downtown Glen Ellyn.

Charisse Jensen, Pastoral Intern

The Unbinding Big Picture:

Here are some statistics you may be interested in knowing regarding our Unbinding experience at Faith. First, a quick

recap: we did two “movements” of Unbinding in 2012, the first involved several pilot small groups using the Unbinding

The Gospel small group resource (almost identical to Unbinding Your Heart, but with a different prayer journal).

Those groups met at various times between October of 2011 and May of 2012. We had about 80 people go through

those groups.

Two pilot groups of Unbinding Your Heart met over the summer of 2012, and then the whole congregational small

group study began in October 2012.

Here’s the run down: Over the past year we have had about 200 people participate in an Unbinding small group.

About 50 people actually went through the process more than once! This fall we had 15 groups, lead by 25 facilitators,

begin meeting in October. For this round of small groups we had 155 participants!

In addition to the adult small groups, this fall we had 144 Sunday School students (preschool through 8th

grade) led by

22 teachers, also participate in a modified curriculum of Unbinding Your Heart. The high school students also used

their Sunday morning Forum time to study the Unbinding themes of prayer and faith sharing.

In addition to all of that, everyone who attended worship during the six weeks of Unbinding Your Heart this fall also

heard the themes of prayer, faith sharing, getting real, change, transformation and had a chance to offer prayers on

the prayer wall.

This has truly been a deep, rich process for our life together. So, you may be thinking, what’s next? I’m glad you

asked! We have an expectation that the process will continue in 2013! We can think of the year 2012 as the YEAR OF

PRAYER, as we engaged in new prayer practices through Unbinding. As we look ahead to 2013, it will be the YEAR OF

INVITATION. Even now we are beginning to put flesh on the bones of what that will look like for the year ahead, and

trust me, you will be hearing a lot about the YEAR OF INVITATION very soon.

If you have any thoughts to share from our experience of Unbinding this year, please don’t hesitate to call Pastor Jim or

myself, or e-mail us, we would love to hear how this impacted your life of faith.

For now, peace to you as we move ahead!

Pastor Heidi

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Bethel New Life Christmas Store!

The deadline for toy drop off for the Bethel New Life

Christmas store is NOON ON SUNDAY

DECEMBER 9th. The toys will be delivered to the

store that afternoon. Please pick up a list of hot item

toys that we are looking for at the toy display in the

Gathering Place. We are also collecting grocery gift

cards to ALDI’s and wrapping paper and tape.

Thanks in advance for your generosity!

Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year

The Library CommitteeThe Library CommitteeThe Library CommitteeThe Library Committee

Thursday Morning Bible Study Our regular weekly Thursday morning bible study resumes for a few weeks during December. On November 29, December 6, 13, and 20, we will take an in-depth look at the lessons for the following Sunday. As we study the lessons, not only will we be better prepared for Sunday worship, but the entire Advent season will take on a much more devotional, intentional, and prayerful tone. Join us in Room 108 from 10:30 am to noon on Thursday mornings.

Monday Evening Adult Enrichment Class Our Monday evening Enrichment classes will return

in January, with a survey study of Lutheranism.

Lutheranism originated as a reform movement

within the Roman Catholic Church in the 16th

century. In the centuries since then, that reform

movement was shaped by a variety of cultural

influences and the constantly changing ways of life

since the days of Martin Luther. In a six-week

survey class, we’ll view the spread of Lutheranism

from Germany to other areas of Europe, to the New

World, and eventually to the whole world. Knowing

the story of where we have come from will provide

a deep sense of gratitude for God’s working

through our Lutheran tradition and will provide

hope and optimism as we share in shaping the

story of where we go from here. The class will meet

on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9 from January 7

through February 11. There is no cost for the class;

no book or readings are required, although a

supplemental reading list will be provided for those

who have a interest in digging deeper.

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A Handbell Prison Ministry by Terri M. Johnson and Philip L. Roberts

Several miles east of Charlottesville, Virginia on US Highway 250 is Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, a maximum-security prison where approximately 1200 inmates are incarcerated. It is also home to the only women’s prison handbell ensemble in the United States. They call themselves Metanoia which in New Testament Greek means to change, repent and be transformed. The

members of this unique ensemble believe that metanoia reflects how ringing handbells has altered their lives.

One member of the group writes periodic articles in the local newspaper. The following is an excerpt from one article… “The eleven women of Metanoia play the bells with a certain awe. How frivolous, how ridiculous, how marvelous and amazing to be in prison and be afforded the rare privilege to make music together! For every worship service that Metanoia plays, the women invite other inmates—friends, acquaintances, strangers, coworkers—to attend. The bells erode barriers. They draw people to worship. They generate merriment and laughter and praise. They create an atmosphere of thanksgiving. Moreover, since many people in prison don’t often have the opportunity to laugh out of delight or have much for which they are grateful, Metanoia is an agent of change with the prison community. Most of all, the bells teach life lessons for the members of the ensemble—lessons in patience and diligence, in working together, in self-worth and value and the importance of every person. The fruit of Metanoia is evident when one woman whispers to another, “I never would have thought I could do this.” And when another says, “I think I might get my GED. If I can do this,

surely I can get that math.” Minds are creaking open, spirits are awakening, bells are ringing in changes to hearts and lives.

Metanoia is led by a kind, gentle and talented man, Bob Wheeler, who through the chaplain’s office undertook special training and received a security clearance to be a volunteer instructor. He rehearses with the group weekly and prepares them for participation in worship services held inside the prison for the inmates. My husband, Phil, met “Mr. Bob,” as the ringers call him, a couple of years ago in Alexandra, VA at a Baptist Music Conference. He was looking for some unique 2, 3 octave music for his “girls.” For some reason Phil thought that he must be talking about his daughters but after a few minutes he realized that Mr. Bob directed a handbell choir in a maximum security prison! Phil was amazed and kept in contact with Mr. Wheeler. One thing led to another and on September 25, 2005, Phil and I had the honor of attending a worship service at Fluvanna Correctional Center. We were there to hear

the ensemble perform Metanoia, a piece Phil wrote for them.

Phil and I had arrived a couple of days prior to the Sunday service and were able to attend their last rehearsal. They would be presenting several pieces as part of the worship and it would be their first time to ring Metanoia. They were particularly nervous knowing that the composer would be present during the performance. As they entered the rehearsal room we were both struck at how similar these women behaved. They seemed just like any other bell choir in any church basement anywhere in the country. There was small talk about the day’s activities and news from home and general questions about the music. But, these people were not regular people. Some were convicted murderers and all were felons serving very long, hard prison time. They were of all ages. Some were young women in their twenties and others were seniors. Nevertheless, each person knew how privileged they were to be afforded the

supreme luxury of ringing handbells.

Bob Wheeler recently retired from his position as music minister at nearby Broadus Baptist Church where he served many years. Since retirement he has started a second group of ringers at the prison. He is a special man with a special ministry making special

music deep inside the guarded confines of Fluvanna Correctional Facility for Women.

As a result of Phil’s discussions with Bob Wheeler and after trying to imagine what prison life might be like and how ringing in his choir must be an extremely delightful oasis from the day to day, month to month, year to year existence of these women, Phil wrote a

handbell piece for them.

Terri and Phil will be going to Virginia to attend Fluvana’s Christmas handbell concert on December 9th.

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Music Ministry

Lessons and Carols for Advent at both 8:45 and 11:00 services on Dec. 2 On Sunday, December 2 at both the 8:45 and 11:00 services, the Sanctuary Choir will present Lessons and Carols for Advent. Well-loved hymns and anthems will alternate with the great Readings appointed for the Advent season. Music by John Ferguson, Carl Schalk and Carolyn Jennings will be shared with the congregation. Members of the New Song and Cantate Choirs will also sing in the service. Mark your calendars now so you can come on December 2 and hear and feel the joy and beauty of our coming Lord and Savior.

Give the Gift of a Piano to Your Family this Christmas The church has two pianos that it no longer needs. Either of them would be perfect for a youngster starting out as a practice piano. Both may be viewed and tried out. Both of the pianos are pretty good deals and getting better as we get closer to Christmas.!! Hurry!! For more details including cost, contact Todd Carrico @ Tcarrico@faithonline.org. or 630-469-2361.

Sunday School Christmas Program needs Instrumentalists for the Prelude Once again this year we are inviting youngsters in Grades 1 through 5 who play an instrument to provide the Prelude for the Sunday School Christmas Program, which this year is on Sunday, December 16 at 4:00. Please contact Mr. Carrico if your child would want to do this. We ask that you limit your selections to a maximum of about two minutes and that you if you have a choice, that you would lean toward choosing a sacred hymn or carol instead of a secular piece. This way we can have more youngsters play and also provide a worshipful atmosphere for the program that follows. Tcarrico@faithonline.org. or 630-469-2361, or sign-up on the Bulletin Board right outside of the Choir Room.

Young Adult Christmas Eve Treble Choir Needs Singers Each Christmas I assemble a Christmas Eve Treble Choir made up of high school and college age singers for the 10:00 pm Christmas Eve Service. We have fun putting together some of the amazing Christmas music in just a few rehearsals. This choir is now forming. Please contact me if you would like to sing in this and I will get you the details. Tcarrico@faithonline.org. or 630

-469-2361.

Music Designated Fund Giving for the End of the Year Please consider giving to the Music Designated Fund when considering your end-of–the–year charitable giving. Money in this fund has gone for hymnals for 4rth Graders in the Stepping Stone Series, a special microphone for the Praise Band and children’s choirs and repair refurbishment of our handbells. In other words your contribution will go for various needs that fall outside of the normal budget. You may make your checks out to Faith Lutheran Church and mark them clearly at the top or bottom, Music Designated Fund.

Todd Carrico Director of Music Ministry

Christmas Caroling by Adults and Children Coming Soon

Watch the bulletin for the dates and times of the caroling that will take place this year. Children in Grades Kindergarten through Grade 5 are invited to join Joyful Noise on Wednesday, December 12 from 5 to 6:00 pm at The Meadows. Contact Mr. Carrico for more information. And adults are welcome to join the Praise Band and Sanctuary Choir as they carol to a few of our older members. Watch the bulletin for dates and details on this caroling event.

There is no better way to see the Joy of Christmas than to see it in the faces of those we carol for. And the Joy of Christmas is nothing less than the Joy of the Christ Child, who is coming to redeem the world.

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2012 Calendar

The calendar can be accessed by linking to the following:

http://faithonline.celect.org/calendar

Celebrating a Milestone

Gladys Monsen, a delightful woman with a deep faith, celebrated her 100th birthday on November 2. Friends and family honored the occasion with a reception at Faith Lutheran Church, where Monsen has been a member almost from the congregation’s inception. Gladys was born on a farm in Rossville, Illinois, in the same house where her mother was born. When she was two years old, her family moved into town where they had the luxuries of electricity and running water. “It was a wonderful life,” Gladys said.

She married her husband, Willard, on Valentine’s Day 1931 and moved to the Austin area of Chicago and then to Glen Ellyn in 1947, where she stayed for 40 years. “I helped in the church office for many years. That was when we use to mimeograph the bulletins for Sunday. We would all meet in the church office on Friday to assemble the handouts. I made so many friends through Faith.”

Gladys was involved in many aspects of the church. “Our church was our social life. We bowled and participated in supper club; I volunteered for Altar Guild and the Women’s Club. We had so much fun at our church; it is where I met many of my best friends.” Gladys and her husband moved to Windsor Park Manor about 25 years ago. “It was the best decision we made,” she explained. Gladys got her first job at 70 years old. “I had never worked before. I started at an office with five other women, the youngest was in her 20’s and I was the oldest. We became, and still are, wonderful friends. Working keeps you young.” She finally retired when she was 95. Gladys still keeps active by playing bridge and knitting prayer shawls for Faith.

“The best part of being 100 years old was being surrounded by my family, especially the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. I have always tried to be there for all the children in my family. It meant so much to me that they were all there to express their love for me. I still can’t believe it.”

We are lucky to have such a loving and faithful woman as part of our congregation. Be sure to congratulate

Gladys on reaching such an incredible milestone. Paula Serfling Nugent

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Family Ministry

Rainbow Place Preschool We celebrate this month and prepare for the joy of the advent season and the birth of Jesus. The little hands of our preschoolers are busy making advent chains to help them count down to this joyous day. Those hands lovingly create gifts for their families: from toilet paper rolls turned into Nativity Scenes - salt containers turned into mangers for Baby Jesus - to the various ornaments and decorations that represent many holiday meanings. We work at keeping everyone engaged in preschool so their hearts are also singing with songs. Their ears are listening to their teachers, our Glen Ellyn Library storyteller and our pastoral staff as they share various stories this holiday season. Even our noses are engaged around the building when the Gingerbread Boy is baked and usually “runs” through the building trying not to be caught for morning snack. If your child, or someone’s you know, would enjoy participating in our preschool environment – call now to be sure you receive the upcoming enrollment information. Later in January we mail out open house invitations and begin the registration process for the 2013-2014 school year. Mid-year starts are also possible. Contact us today – 630-469-6219 or rainbowplaceflc@hotmail.com Eileen Glynn, Rainbow Place Preschool

You are invited ~You are invited ~You are invited ~You are invited ~

to the Sunday School Christmas Programto the Sunday School Christmas Programto the Sunday School Christmas Programto the Sunday School Christmas Program

Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 pmSunday, December 16 at 4:00 pmSunday, December 16 at 4:00 pmSunday, December 16 at 4:00 pm

Come and hear the children tell and sing the story of Jesus’ birth.

Grandparents, friends and neighbors are welcome!

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Care and Concern

Changes? Notify the church office! Give a call. . .

Betty Elliott, Judy Doyle, Candy Hall, Bill Hedlund, Barb Martin, Carol Plusquellec, Christina Ashley Ricellli, Pat Rimac, Marilyn Tyznik, Tony Tyznik, Mickey Wendorf Those serving in the Military: Andrew Teague Mourning the loss of loved one: Karen Fleming and Family, (Mother and Grandmother, Joann Scott); Danielle Bollman and Family, (Mother, Janet Werner); Amy Hohulin, (Friend, Maureen O’Malley Murray); John and Diana Oltman, (Friend, David Korinek).

Faith’s Financials

November 25 Baptism of Joshua Bayubahe, Son of Beatrice Ndayisenga and Zachariah Nduwimana

Baptisms

Month of October — Monthly Budget Income 71,041.66 Actual Receipts 64,095.04 Percentage of Income 90.22 Budget Expense 75,490.91 Actual Expense 73,793.59 Percentage of Expense 97.75 Year to Date Budget Income 720,716.60 Actual Income 662,604.87 Percentage of Income 91.94 Budget Expense 738,827.43 Actual Expense 714,368.80 Percentage of Expense 96.72

Births

November 10 Jackson Robert Konzelman, son of Renee’ and Rob Konzelman

November 17 Hunter Joseph Stauber, son of Andrew and Jenny Stauber

Call the church office to make any changes to your family information:

� a change of e-mail address � a new cell phone number � a child who has grown and has their own address

Or to answer questions about the website, call Sally Stauber, 630-469-2361, ext. 229