VBS is going VIRTUAL!
Join in the fun! See page 4 for information
on Alleluia! Rocky Railway Virtual VBS!
Alleluia! brings church to you through online worship.
Please see Pastor Tim’s important article on the next page
for information about Alleluia! and Phase 4.
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News & Notes from Pastor Tim
Dear Friends,
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…”
– Ecclesiastes 3:1
Phase 4 in Illinois is upon us. What does this mean for Alleluia!?
• All ministry areas, directed by staff, will begin offering gatherings of up to 50 people or less beginning the
week--and not prior to--July 12, 2020. The next two weeks, including the July 4th holiday, will allow time for
good planning and preparation.
• Regular weekend public worship, however, will not resume yet as we begin Phase 4, but will be evaluated
every two weeks as we progress into Phase 4. Streaming online worship continues.
• For those of you desiring to gather again for public worship, we hear you; and I am right there with you.
It’s safe to say nobody wants to gather for worship again more than I do. That said, there are reasons for
waiting:
The worship experience offered would not be anything close, or familiar, to what our regular weekend
worship was like before the pandemic: worship that requires masks, no singing, no communion, no
Sharing of the Peace, limits attendance, does not offer KidsConnect, no nursery, no “The Well” coffee
shop, no time before or after worship for fellowship, etc. is not the worship experience we believe is
desired by those who would attend. Also, this is not a worship experience we believe visitors would
have a positive experience with.
Public worship limited to 50 people has the potential of turning people away. This contradicts our
mission.
A church our size would require anywhere from 5 to 10+ services each weekend.
Why not a weekly outdoor service? Weekly outdoor worship is not practical with challenges including
the weather, preparation and set-up (for example, it takes about 3 hours to set up sound etc. for
outdoor worship), sound permits, unhappy neighbors, etc.
• While regular weekend public worship will not resume at the beginning of Phase 4, we will still be seeking
ways to be worshipful! For example, evening campfires, prayer meetings, outdoor opportunities, etc..
So, be watching for more information about these opportunities to gather!
• Masks will be required entering, while in, and leaving our building. Masks will not be required outside unless
good social distancing cannot be practiced.
• We have been hard at work preparing the campus for this “soft opening.” Every effort is being made to
assure your safety and the safety of all.
We look forward to seeing you in July! ☺
In Christ,
Pastor Tim Housholder
Senior Pastor
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Alleluia! Outreach During the Covid-19 Crisis (Updated for July)
While the pandemic continues our mission partners are adapting, not only to the restrictions, but to the economic impact as well. You can help! Below are some ways that we, in the Alleluia! community, can love and serve others during this time. Click on the links for updates from and information about helping through these organizations. Please contact Pastor Mark if you have any questions or are in need yourself.
Alleluia! Community
Make a donation to the Alleluia! Family Assistance Fund. These funds are used to help families and individuals within the Alleluia! community who are struggling financially. Give online and note “Family Assistance Fund” or mail a check to Alleluia! Lutheran Church - 4055 Book Road - Naperville, IL 60564 and write “Family Assistance Fund” in the memo.
Contact Pastor Mark to volunteer with our Covid-19 Care Team. (delivering groceries to homebound, etc.)
Local Mission Partner of Alleluia!:
Loaves and Fishes Community Services —Volunteer opportunities are available to serve people in our area.
Loaves and Fishes Virtual Food Drive — A great way to give! Click on VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE and choose items to
donate. (Physical food donations are not being accepted currently)
Global Mission Partners of Alleluia!:
Compassion International —Disaster Relief Fund and other ways you can help Compassion families at this time.
(Click on Peru to see what’s being done in this hard-hit country where Alleluia! is partnered)
Feed My Starving Children —Your financial gifts provide desperately needed meals while packing sites are closed.
HOPE International —Rebuild the dreams of families and entrepreneurs impacted by the pandemic.
Samaritan's Purse (Operation Christmas Child)—Ministering to those impacted by Covid-19 and other issues.
Other Organizations:
DuPage PADS —You can support their Emergency Response Fund for area homeless.
Lutheran Disaster Response —Responding in the U.S. and around the world.
Alleluia! Community—Please let us know how we may serve you during this time. If you are quarantined, ill,
or struggling—whether physically, economically, emotionally or spiritually, please let one of the pastors know
so that we, your Alleluia! family, can be of support to you.
Please Consider Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for Your Offerings
There is no better time to prayerfully consider using our free, secure, and convenient way to give your offerings
automatically. Most of us use automatic withdrawal for making payments, so please consider doing this for your
offerings. It’s an easy way to get your offerings to church, and helps you meet your annual financial commitment.
Please contact Liz Vesta, Alleluia! Finance Director, at [email protected] for more information.
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Please enjoy pictures from Children’s Ministry activities on the following pages.
ALL ABOARD for Virtual VBS 2020, ROCKY RAILWAY, where kids will discover that trusting in Jesus pulls them through life’s ups and downs! We are working hard to bring you a
VIRTUAL VBS this summer, packed with plenty of learning and fun!
1) There is flexibility regarding participation from Aug. 10th - Sept. 1st, though we encourage
you to join us the week of Aug. 10-14, 9am-12pm so you can view our “live” openings or
activities each morning. Please note that the link to our Virtual VBS will expire on Sept. 1st
due to content copyright restrictions, so please plan to view all materials prior to that date.
2) VBS kits filled with all Group VBS materials will be distributed at Alleluia! Please pick up kits at the Exterior Low-
er Level Underpass on one of the following dates:
- August 8th, 10am-12pm
- August 9th, 1pm-3pm
3) When registering you will be given the choice of receiving your VBS music and songs as a digital download or
on CD. Please thoughtfully determine which you prefer as we will not be able to make changes afterward.
4) Please register by July 19th in order to receive a VBS t-shirt.
CLICK HERE to register a child, 3 years - 5th grade for Virtual VBS
Virtual Wacky Wednesdays will continue throughout the month of July on Zoom! Join Ms. Michele and Ms. April
Wednesday mornings at 9am for FUN for ages preschool- 5th grade (grade level they JUST completed).
Each week we will try to mix it up, sometimes we will meet as an ALL AGES group; other times we will separate by the grade levels specified below:
Meetings for preschool-1st grade (led by Ms. Michele) Meetings for 2nd-5th grade (led by Ms. April)
Meetings for preschool-5th grade (led by Ms. April and Ms. Michele)
Morning prayer
Games
Crafts and FUN for all!
Keep checking the weekly Saturday email sent by the Children’s Ministry for the Zoom for Wacky Wednesdays
and MUCH more!
Check out our Facebook & Instagram pages to see what’s happening in Alleluia! Children’s Ministry.
CLICK HERE for the Alleluia! Children’s Ministry Facebook page.
CLICK HERE to go to Instagram. Then search Alleluia_Childrens_Ministry.
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I learned to shoot a basketball!
I learned to tie my shoes!
I learned to walk! I learned how to rollerblade!
I learned how to rollerblade!
Learning to make pretzels!
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We both learned to ride our bikes!
“What’s new with you during this time at home?
Daffodils represent NEW BEGINNINGS!
More photos on next page!ooooo
Learning how an engine works!
Learning how to draw!
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I’m working on my art!
We are… reading, seeing friends on Zoom, crafting, baking, riding bikes and scooters,
fishing, playing, fishing!
I’m playing TONS of basketball!
“What’s new with you during this time at home?
Ms. Michele and her family are trying out new recipes!
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Perfecting our skills… Math & Cooking with Mom!
Lost my first tooth!
Future architects! We’re building birdhouses!
At home prom!
Daffodils represent
NEW BEGINNINGS!
More photos on next page!ooooo
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Ms. April says she has been learning a NEW KIND of
patience during this stay-at-home time!
Connect45 finished the year on ZOOM! That was a completely new experience!
“What’s new with you during this time at home?
Ms. Michele and her choir kids had a blast getting together on ZOOM! This was a totally NEW WAY of doing choir!
More photos on next page!ooooo
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Challenge Accepted! We asked kids to...
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Build a tower using things in your home!
Strike a yoga pose!
Spell out your first name using objects in your home!
Create a piece of art that shows you are grateful for today!
From Plainfield
Take Route 59 North. Turn right on 103rd St.
Church is on the right at Book Rd.
From Bolingbrook
Take Boughton Rd. West. Turn right on
Plainfield-Naperville. Turn left on 104th St.
104th ends in church parking lot.
From North Naperville
Take Route 59 South. Turn
left on 103rd St. Church is
on the right at Book Rd.
Directions to Alleluia!
Currently Livestreaming on Facebook
Sunday Mornings at 10:30am
www.facebook.com/alleluianaperville
Bill Cottrill (Term Exp 2/22)
Kerry Hunnius (Term Exp 2/22)
John Ploense (Term Exp 2/23)
Carolyn Talbott (Term Exp 2/23)
Liz Vesta (Treasurer, non-voting)
Your Alleluia! Church Council members may be contacted via [email protected]
Lesa Sangalis (Term Exp 2/21)
Matt White (Term Exp 2/21)
Pastor Tim Housholder (Senior Pastor)
WORSHIP VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Hello Everyone! Though we are not yet back to in-church services, I wanted to reach out to everyone and invite you to volunteer when we do return. You may have seen the same people week after week volunteering but we need YOUR help too. It only takes 15 minutes of your day to volunteer for worship services at Alleluia! What better way to serve the Lord and Alleluia!? Below is a list and short description of each worship volunteer position that you can volunteer for:
Altar Guild – Set up communion and any Baptismal items for the service. Welcome Center – Help members and visitors with pertinent information. Greeter – Welcome members and visitors to Alleluia! Usher – Greet, distribute bulletins, collect offering and other items, guide people to communion. This takes a little longer than 15 minutes but you still get to see, sit with your family, and be a part of the service. Lector – Read the scripture for the day. Communion Server – Assist in the sharing of communion.
You can sign up for one or as many volunteer positions as you would like. It doesn’t cost anything and it’s SO rewarding. Every position is easy and training is available. If you are interested in volunteering, send me an email and I will keep your information so that when we physically return to Alleluia! I can contact you. If you have already served as a volunteer, thank you so much. I miss you all! Stay safe.
Any questions? Please contact Donna Gudgel, Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected] or call
630-904-3311, x306.
