Sharing Joys & Concerns

Please keep these people & events in your prayers:

Prayers for strength & healing for Nick & Sara Allen & their newborn son, JJ. JJ was rushed to Children’s Memorial Hospital due to low heart rate & difficulty breathing. He is stabilized, but there are many tests ahead. (Amanda Zigterman)

Pam & Karen as they navigate a new life without their precious son. May they feel surrounded by love. (The Conkrites)

The family of Kimberly Vaughn. They will be here for the trial & it will be a diffucult, painful time for them. (Ellen Brady)

Peter Oliver, who continues to suffer from severe back pain. Pray for healing & progress. (Pastor Timoth)

President of Lombard, who passed away from West Nile Virus & cancer. (Mark Geiger)

Sending up a prayer that my brother-in-law can find a job after a nine month search. (Anna Ahonen)

Eric Ekstrom, who has hit an extreme low. The future is uncertain in regard to where he will live & continue treatment. (Pastor Timoth)

My niece Tiffani & her husband, Bobby. (Zach Jarabeck) Issues with my daughters to accept the changes in me since my

divorce & illness. (Nancy Sass) Love & support for the Niimi family. (Higgins Family) The children & adults starting back to school in all capacities.

(Sally Bice) That as I close one door, I find the window that opens. (Dana B.) Our church, as we discern entering into a new relationship with

a local Indian congregation. May God guide our decision-making process. (Pastor Timoth)

Thanks for the time with Dad & Mary this week. (Tim Higgins) The 28 participants at Friday’s Relay for Life in Lisle. Our team

from HOPE UCC raised over $1,600 for the American Cancer Society. (Pastor Timoth)

Prayer of thanksgiving. Barb Conkrite, who organized the Relay for Life & made it a great success. Thank you for getting involved in this great project. (Mark Geiger)

Thanksgiving – Relay for Life was a great success. A little sore, but we made it! (Mark Geiger)

Happy Birthday to our newphew, Collin. (Matt & Barb) So happy to have our cousins, nieces & nephews visiting again &

that they were able to join us for Relay for Life. (Matt, Barb & Charlotte)

I’m grateful that Mark & Cory traveled with me to Wisconsin and that Mark let me sleep on his couch that night. I was so tired. I wouldn’t have made it home. (Barb Conkrite)

I am so grateful to all who came to Relay for Life this past weekend and all who supported us. (Barb Conkrite)

A prayer of thanksgiving for our new Partners, new leaderhisp & the new program year about to begin. God is doing great things in our midst. (Pastor Timoth)

TTTHHHEEERRREEE’’’SSS SSSTTTIIILLLLLL TTTIIIMMMEEE

TTTOOO GGGEEETTT YYYOOOUUURRR TTTIIICCCKKKEEETTTSSS!!!

Tickets available at the

HOPE UCC office or at the door.

Friday, August 24

Saturday, August 25

8 p.m.

Adults $20

Seniors & Children (12 & under) $15

General Seating

Rosary High School Theatre

901 N. Edgelawn Drive

Aurora, IL 60506

08/22/121

Sunday, August 26, 2012

“Is There a Place for Faith in Sports?”

Rev. Timoth Sylvia

Celebrating Birthdays

08/23 Bob Selby 08/26 Leo Ley 08/27 Kailey Streul

If we’ve missed your birthday, please email Gail at HOPE@shareHOPE.org. We’ll add you to the list.

August Anniversaries

08/02/1967 Bob & Martha Selby 08/02/1986 Tim & Cheryl Rhodes 08/08/1964 Dick & Barb Anderson 08/23/1983 Keith Cornell & Mark Duebner 08/25/2001 Dave & Dee Zillmer 08/30/1986 Rob & Mary Dvorak

We would love to celebrate your anniversaries, too! Please email Gail at HOPE@shareHOPE.org with your anniversary dates.

Deadline for additions or

corrections to the next issue of HOPE Happenings is August 28, 3:00pm.

Thanks!

Announcements for Sunday due by Wednesday of each week.

HOPE’S Leadership

Pastor: Rev. Timoth Sylvia

Moderator: Joe Newton

Des. Moderator: John Israel

Treasurer: Dave Zillmer

Secretary: LaRissa O’Neal

Registrar: Mary Dycus

Social: Mark Geiger

Education: Tracy Urben

Outreach: Mark Duebner

Mission: Ginny Bateman

Pastor-Parish: Team-Led

Resource: Linda James

Worship: Keith Cornell

HOPE LIBRARY

You may reserve items (books, videos or tapes) by calling Gail, HOPE’s Office Manager (630-922-0470) during office hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); by checking them out at HOPE UCC any time it is open; or by calling Martha Selby, HOPE Librarian, at (630) 355-3709 OR Karen Garland, Assistant HOPE Librarian (630) 922-8348.

Quest Quote of the Month

Moralists (archbishops included) can thunder away as much as they like; but they’ll make no difference unless and until people see that there is something transforming and exhilarating about the prospect of a whole community rejoicing together – being glad of each other’s happiness and safety. This alone is what will save us from the traps of ludicrous financial greed, of environmental recklessness, of collective fear of strangers and collective contempt for the unsuccessful and marginal…”

--Archbishop Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

QUEST MINISTRIES ~ 8:30 a.m.

ADULT QUEST

Facilitated by Bob Selby. Meets in Room 2.

Who is GOD?

Over the next several weeks, we will explore different beliefs about God. Many have died in supporting their personal beliefs against that of the majority or the people in power. That will not happen in this Quest discussion!

Have you ever been asked, do you believe in God, most people will respond, yes, but, is their perception of God the same as the perception of the person asking the question? What do you consider the attributes of the God? Who is God to you? What is God like? Each of us may have different ideas!

We will start this exploration by viewing a History Channel documentary titled, "A History of God". Karen Armstrong, one of the presenters is the author of a book by the same title. The video brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims reviewing the history of monotheism practiced by the three Abrahamic faiths. The story begins with Abraham, in the Hebrew Bible and includes interviews with the scholars and theologians in a manner that we, as laypersons, can understand.

We will watch individual segments and discuss the implications of each to our own individual faith.

SR. HIGH QUEST

Starts again on September 9

JR. HIGH QUEST

Starts again on September 9

KIDS QUEST

Starts again on September 9

Bring Your Empty Inkjet Cartridges to Worship

HOPE UCC is pleased to continue a fundraiser that is both simple and profitable!

For every empty inkjet cartridge we collect, Quill.com will pay us $$$.

Please bring your empties to the church office.

This will be on ongoing campaign – round up as many empty inkjet cartridges as possible, and help “ink” benefits for both HOPE and the environment.

UPCOMING EVENTS @ HOPE UCC

August 21, Tuesday

Men’s Fellowship (7 - 9 p.m.) All HOPE UCC men are welcome to join us at Quincy’s at 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville on the first and third Tuesday of each month. For more information or questions contact Matt Conkrite at 773-590-0824.

August 22, Wednesday

Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Butterfield’s Pancake House, 1504 N. Naper Blvd., Suite 104, Naperville

August 22, Wednesday

Discussion Group (7 – 9 p.m.) Meets at Panera Bread, Ogden Avenue, Naperville.

August 24 & 25, Friday & Saturday

Harmony, Heart & HOPE 3 (8 p.m.) Enjoy top-notch musical entertainment featuring a salute to the fabulous music of Hollywood! Order your tickets today and join us for this exciting evening of celebration and song!

August 29, Wednesday

Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Butterfield’s Pancake House, 1504 N. Naper Blvd., Suite 104, Naperville

August 29, Wednesday

Discussion Group (7 – 9 p.m.) Meets at Panera Bread, Ogden Avenue, Naperville.

September 3, Monday

HOPE UCC – Closed for Labor Day

September 4, Tuesday

Men’s Fellowship (7 - 9 p.m.) All HOPE UCC men are welcome to join us at Quincy’s at 1112 E. Ogden Avenue, Naperville on the first and third Tuesday of each month. For more information or questions contact Matt Conkrite at 773-590-0824.

September 5, Wednesday

Explore Your Faith Breakfast (7:30 a.m.) Meets at Butterfield’s Pancake House, 1504 N. Naper Blvd., Suite 104, Naperville

September 5, Wednesday

Feed My Starving Children (6 – 7:30 p.m.) Sign up at HOPE UCC or email Ginny Bateman (ginbateman@gmail.com)

September 5, Wednesday

Discussion Group (7 – 9 p.m.) Meets at Panera Bread, Ogden Avenue, Naperville.

September 6, Thursday

Craft Club (7 p.m.) Join us to work on the Holiday Craft Fair! For more information please contact Mary Dycus or Mark Geiger.

September 9, Sunday

HOPE UCC Annual Picnic

NEWS AND NOTES

Manna Program – How It Works...

I saw many “light bulbs” going on as I explained a couple of Sundays ago how the Manna Gift Card Program works using volunteers and visual aids. Here’s another visual to help promote the program. Again, if we could increase our weekly orders to 30-35, we would see an incredible return on our effort. Just think of the amazing ministries we could be doing if everyone got on board!

This is you... writing a check for $25... to HOPE UCC....

This is HOPE UCC... writing a check for $25.... to the Manna Program...

This is the Manna Program... giving gift cards worth $25... to HOPE UCC...

This is HOPE UCC... giving gift cards worth $25... to you...

BUT WAIT... THERE’S MORE...!

This is the Manna Program... giving a commission check... to HOPE UCC...

You spend $25 and receive a $25 gift card... HOPE UCC receives a commission for the sale... It’s a win-win program. Visit the HOPE UCC Fundraising Page for more information and to download order forms: http://sharehope.org/#/what-we-do/fundraising

Church Picnic Time!!!

Get ready! It’s almost that time. The kids will be back in school, Labor Day will be over, and it’s time to dodge bees at the ANNUAL HOPE CHURCH PICNIC! Mark your calendars for Sunday, Sept. 9. After the service we’ll reconvene at Herrick Lake’s West Picnic Shelter for food, laughs, and games. Community Life will provide the main course and drinks while the guests bring a dish to share. There will be more info on the picnic in the weeks to come, but please plan on joining us for some good times.

Anyone know some good ways to “reassign” the bees for those few hours? Talk to a Community Life member!

Who can ever forget Melody on the blow up horse? Still makes us all smile!

Quest Begins September 9

It’s almost that time…time for school to begin again in our communities and also for our religious education program to start up again here at HOPE UCC. There are some exciting things in store for this New Year and you are invited to be a part of it all. We will be introducing new curriculum for our children from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, a curriculum that is engaging, informative and fairly simple to teach.

And because we know the curriculum won’t teach itself, we are looking fr individuals or families to share in our education ministry. The curriculum is one that is very user-friendly and does not require a large amount of preparation time. If you would like more information or would like to sign up to teach in our Quest program, please contact Pastor Timoth at 630-922-0470 or via email at pastor@sharehope.org.

Mark Your Calendars for Tuesday, September 25 for “On the Border”!

HOPE UCC's 3rd quarter fundraising dinner is scheduled for September 25 at the On the Border Mexican Cantina (on Route 59 — very near to HOPE UCC). We will get a percentage of the check totals for the entire day when a special flyer is presented. This

includes food and beverages (including alcohol). We have already had these events at Home Run Inn Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings and they have been a great success and much fun! We will schedule a gathering at 7 pm but you are free to visit this location anytime that day. And YES, there is a $25 gift card available from the Manna Program. ORDER THE CHILI'S CARD (they are part of the same company). HOPE UCC gets 11% from that card. Watch the Happenings and announcements at worship for more details.

Holy Moly & Connect – Coming to HOPE UCC

As we are nearing a new school year, we are beginning to make preparations to fire up the Sunday morning Quest program once again. This year, we are introducing a new curriculum for the Kids’ Quest called Holy Moly and another new curriculum for our slightly older “tweens” called Connect.

Holy Moly – Here’s how it works:

Discover – Each Holy Moly lesson starts with an animated Bible story retelling and an activity to jump start kids’ imaginations about what they’ll see and do!

Relate – Next, kids talk about the story they just watched. Kids relate to the Bible story and each other. They discuss what surprised them & what made them wonder!

Connect – Then, through the pages of the Holy Moly Bible Storybooks & Connect Bible, kids read or listen to the story again as a way to ground the lesson in scripture.

Create – Finally, creativity flows as kids complete activities that reinforce the lessons they watch in the Bible story retelling.

Connect – Here’s how it works:

Tweens watch a video that blends witty, slap-stick humor and solid theology to introduce the session theme. As they explore the test, kids hightlight, underline, sketch on, search through, and draw in the pages of the Connect Bible. Kids then relate the themes to their own lives through project-style activities.

See more by visiting the Curriculum creator’s website at www.wearesparkhouse.org.

Welcome New Partners to HOPE UCC

On Sunday, August 19, HOPE United Church of Christ expanded its membership once again. As we continue to draw new people to us, it is truly a time to celebrate when some of those Friends decide to make the commitment and become Partners of HOPE UCC. Recently we received five New Partners (and we have nine more in the wings...). Below you will find their “brief” bios...I hope that these will be useful in getting to know these New Partners and welcoming them into our community.

Jill & Jay Hruska Jill and Jay Hruska live in northeast Naperville with their sons Donald, a senior at University of Illinois – Urbana, James, a senior at Naperville North High School and their golden retriever, Sammy. They love spending time with their sons hanging out, camping and even SCUBA diving. Jay’s hobbies are karate and community-theater, Jill enjoys gardening and genealogy.

Tracy Urben After many nudges from a fellow trouble maker I tried a new church. From the first hug I received, I knew I had found my church! That friend was Timoth. He has since nudged me into a few other decisions. One of which was becoming a partner of HOPE UCC.

I am Tracy Urben. I grew up in Colorado and reluctantly moved to Wheaton while in 8th grade. In hind site I'm glad as I married one of the kindest men I know, Mark. We have two grown children, Chris and Lara. Chris has given us the most adorable grand daughters, Shelby and Audrey. Lara will be marrying the love of her life in less than two weeks.

Professionally, I have been the Director of a Before and After School Program for 19 years...a job I accepted at the age of 12. ;)

Paula Saenz My name is Paula Saenz and I currently reside in Shorewood. I grew up in Joliet and after I graduated from Illinois State University, I moved to Southern California. While living there, I taught Health, Physical Education and Dance. I spent 18 years in Cali and a year in Eugene, Oregon...then back to Cali...a place that I love and still call home. After getting married in 1985 and having our daughter, Kattie Saenz, in 1990, we moved back to Illinois in order to provide a better life for her and to be closer to my family. My husband and I divorced in 2008 and currently have a great relationship and friendship, which is good for everyone. Kattie and her fiancé have a 19 month old son, Logan, who is the light of my life. We live together in my parents home iN Shorewood. My father, Jack, lives in assisted living in Romeoville and my mom, Char, recently passed away on May 1st of this year. A very sad time in my life but I know she is strong and happy in Heaven. I have one brother, Craig, whom I am very close with and he has two children, Christie (who is the same age as my daughter - 22) and a son, Jack, who is 24. They each have their own apartments in the city and their mother, Laura, lives in Naples, Florida. My brother, too, is divorced. I spend as much time as possible staying with Craig in the city and enjoying all it has to offer. I love the city and would like to move there someday...soon!!

After moving back to Illinois in 1992, I taught school at a couple of locations until I found my niche working with At-Risk youth. In 2003, I completed my Masters in Educational Leadership and Type 75 certification at Aurora University in order to become an administrator. I had spent 11 years working with the Regional Safe Schools Program through Education Service Network, a not-for-profit agency in Joliet, as a teacher and assistant principal for Premier Academy. Then, wanting to try out "regular" school, I was a dean for two years at Plainfield North High School. Realizing that my passion and forte is working with At-Risk youth in a helping environment, I went back to RSSP through Oswego School District until the state didn't pay the grant and many of us lost our jobs throughout the state. After, nearly 2 years of looking for a job and on unemployment, I retired from education in November of 2011. Since that time, I have become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteer and plan to substitute teach this school year. Also, much of my time is spent helping my dad and, when my mom was alive, helping her, as well.

My cousin, BFF and "sister", Nancy Sass-Esco is the person who brought me to HOPE...and I am so happy that she did! HOPE has a philosophy that I embrace and was lacking in other churches that I have attended. I feel at home here and everyone is so welcoming! It is a thrill to become a Partner with Hope and its members and I plan to give to HOPE as they have given so much to me!

And, last but not least, I feel that Timoth plays a very significant role in my reason for loving HOPE and wanting to become a partner. My bio would be very, very long if I pointed out all of his positive characteristics. So, I will simple say that because Timoth is such a wonderful and caring person and Pastor and honestly genuine, I want to be a part of HOPE.

Anna Ahonen 100% Italian, married to a Fin (Chuck) for the past 34 years. They have one son, Derek, who is a writer/director in New York City. Anna studied at Eastern Illinois University and started teaching/directing theater in 1974. She worked with the Theatre on the Lake, Chicago City Wide touring company as well as throughout the suburbs. She even had her own theatre company from 1989-1997.

Anna started working at Waubonsee Valley High School in 1997 as Administration and Guidance Secretary. She loves to perform, do voices and voice overs. She finds that her calming methods are walking and gardening.

Invest in HOPE UCC Education

As we prepare to launch a new Quest Program, a new Curriculum, a New Year…we are in need of equipping our classrooms with additional electronic equipment to make using the new video-based curriculum possible. And although we have a bit of funding still available in our “New Church Transition Fund” we could use some additional help.

If you would be willing/able to make a contribution to help purchase new TV/DVD combos and other supplies for the classrooms, you will be a part of advancing our Education Program for the children/youth/adults of HOPE UCC and all who come to be a part of our many vibrant ministries.

You can make contributions in a variety of ways:

Place a contribution in the Sunday morning offering basket, being sure to mark the contribution as being for the Education Ministry (New Church Transition Fund).

Drop off or mail a contribution to the church office anytime during the week.

Go online and make an online contribution to the New Church Transition Fund through our Vanco, onlind giving system. Simple go to the Online Giving page of our website – sharehope.org/#/contact/online-giving.

Manna Mission

There are many unique ways we share in ministry at HOPE United Church of Christ. One particular ministry may not be as well known. HOPE UCC has a discretionary fund that is used on occasion to assist those who are for one reason or another finding it difficult to make ends meet. And recently this has been more apparent as the number of unemployed and under-employed in our congregation grows.

The discretionary fund has helped families and individuals with utility payments, gas for their vehicles and food for their tables.

Our Moderator Team, at a recent meeting thought it would be wonderful if we sought out ways to continue this ministry with those in need by providing additional gifts for families and individuals through our Manna Gift Card program. How wonderful would it be for a family to receive a gift of movie tickets or restaurant gift cards that would enable their family to enjoy an evening out together? Perhaps a gift of grocery or gas gift cards would make it easier to get through the month. The possibilities are endless...and unfortunately, so is the need.

If you would like to contribute to this “Manna Mission” you may do so by simply purchasing Manna Gift Cards and designating them as a contribution to this ministry. Your purchase of the donated gift cards is tax-deductible, benefits a family in need and helps to support the church.

Gift cards may be left in the jar in the church’s entryway. From there we will be sure to spread the blessings with those who are currently going without.

Electronic Giving

HOPE United Church of Christ is pleased to announce the introduction of an electronic option for making regular offerings. Contributions can now be debited automatically from your checking or savings account or processed using your credit or debit card. Our new electronic giving program offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our congregation.

If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year. And, when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis.

Click here to access HOPE’s giving page, or copy & past this into your browser: http://www.sharehope.org/#/contact/online-giving

Hygiene Kits

Thank you for bringing items for the Church World Service Hygiene kits. We have enough soap, toothbrushes, and Band-Aids. We still need nail clippers, wide-tooth combs, washcloths, and hand towels measuring approximately 16”x28” (no fingertip or bath towels, please). You can drop them in the basket in the sanctuary.

If you’d like to find out more information about the project, contact Ginny Bateman at ginbateman@gmail.com or check the website at http://www.curchworldservice.org/site/pageserver?pagename=kits_hygiene .