Click here to see the October calendar.Click here to see the Worship Teams Schedule.
MAKE LIKE THE BEETLESOn October 2nd we had two special worship services. We celebrated World Communion and Peacemaking Sunday. We also celebrated our life as a congregation and our incredible diversity.I think the services were very powerful. The music was amazing—and we all should pause to give thanks for how talented this congregation is. We had classical and contemporary, acoustic and electric, Taizé and African and Celtic and Korean and more—all in a single service! And it was all done with passion and quality. Besides the music, there was visual artistry in the display of the communion bread, the signs of peace in many different languages, and the “painting” which gradually brought a colorful scene to life. We are a gifted congregation, and we should never forget to celebrate that. There were people sitting with each other who rarely get to worship together. There was a “groovy” spirit in the air (as someone said). We found laughter and compassion and joy on the other side of conflict and tension. It was a good thing, and I’m deeply thankful to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen, and to everyone who was willing to stretch outside of their comfort zones. More often than we would like, that’s where we find God. What does the future of our worship life look like? It’s hard to say. Where we are now is not where we’ve always been and it’s not where we’ll always be. This congregation has always been creative with its worship, and we will continue to try to stretch that creativity. I think there will always be a place here for “classic” worship, worship that draws on traditional structures, words, and music. I also think there will always be a place here for “contemporary” worship, worship that draws on contemporary music and encourages worshipers to participate in new and different ways. I hope there will always be a place here for “contemplative” worship, worship that is meditative and deeply spiritual, along the lines of Taizé worship. And I hope there will also be a place here for a new kind of worship, perhaps worship that is less structured than tradition but more sacramental than contemporary. Who knows what the future may bring? In any case, the diversity of our worship life should be a source of celebration, not conflict. It is a strength, not a weakness. I understand there are over 350,000 species of beetles, and the only reason I can think of for that many kinds of beetles is that God must love diversity. I can only assume the same applies to worship styles. So let’s make like the beetles and worship God in all our wonderful diversity. ~ Richard
CALLING ALL ADULTS!Come join us for the Circle of Friends November gathering! On Saturday, November 5th, we will be meeting for dinner and fellowship at Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant at 6pm. Pablo’s is located in Crystal Lake, off of Route 14, near T.J. Maxx. If you are interested, please contact Julia Baser by October 28th, so that we can have an accurate reservation count. Hope to see you there!ROAD RALLY RECAP Thanks to Doug Crane for putting together the course for the road rally. It was a 90 minute, 48 mile course. Points were obtained by answering questions correctly and points taken away for time, mileage, and opening clue envelopes. The winners, with 133 points, were Dorothy Vick and Sarah Metivier, followed by Jon & Rita Gealow with 91, Lee & Paula Ekstrom with 83, Bill & Pat Moll with 75, Jack & Joan Black with -4, and Karl & Raj Dencker with -102. We were getting concerned about Karl & Raj, but eventually they showed up and we didn't have to send out a search party. Check out the pictures on the church website. Also, thanks to Dennis Stipati for helping out.The Fellowship Team ALL CHURCH WORK DAYCome dressed for work on Sunday November 13th from 8:30 to 1:30 for the All Church Work Day. There will be lots of jobs both inside and outside. We can use help from the young and the not so young. Lunch will be provided. This is a great way to meet new people and remember, it is always more fun to work someplace else!TUESDAYS AT BORDERSGreat discussion, delicious coffee and good friends—all can be found at “Tuesdays at Borders”.Come join us on Tuesday mornings in the Borders Café in Crystal Lake from 10:00 to 11:30 am for a lively soul-filling discussion. Share your story over a great cup of coffee or tea. See you next Tuesday! Questions? Contact Sheila Mohler or Kim Stewart. THANK YOU!For those who missed our first open mic night on September 23rd missed a great time of music and entertainment in a coffee shop atmosphere...- Many thanks to Ken Stewart and Sheila Mohler for taking an imagining and letting it happen... - Rod Russell for his sound system. It sounded great... - Kim Stewart for flyers and posters, and putting info on the website... - Many thanks to Mary Moltmann for advertizing to the Newspapers, Radio and TV... - Jim Dutkiewicz, Todd Rado, and Joanne March for setup of the equipment and furniture in the fellowship hall... - and thanks to all the ones that stayed after putting up the equipment back upstairs... - Joyce Berube for the refreshments... ~Pierre Berube EDUCATION HOUR FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTHWe are off to a great start for the fall in Sunday morning classes. Overall, we have had 49 children attend in preschool through 5th grades (Faith Explorers), 16 middle school youth (Faith Adventurers) and 16 high school students (Faith Builders) who are involved on Sunday mornings (either in class or assisting in Faith Explorers), and 30 teachers/assistants.I would like to thank all our teachers and assistants who are involved this year with education for children and youth: Preschool Teachers: Nancy Blakely, Wendy Sanders, Joan Jensema, Emily Floyd, Raechel Sowa, Debi Keyzer, and Susan Hetherington Preschool Assistants: Laurie Dayon, Patti Hill, Karla Koenig, Laura Middaugh, Valerie Krukiewicz, and Joanne March Kindergarten & 1st Grade Teachers: Cheryl Lilly, Julia Baser, Patti Hill Assistant: Eric Terlep 2nd and 3rd Grade Teachers: Jodi Iddings, Katie Price, Diane Terlep Assistant: Anna Woodruff 4th and 5th Grade Teachers: Laurie Jensen, Laura Bauman, Sally Sounhein 6th – 8th Grade Teachers: Jayne Zoerner, Lori Thompson, Karen Nelson 9th – 12th Grade Teachers: Jim Pracht, Ginger Robinson, Melanie Wesa The children in preschool through 5th grades (Faith Explorers) are using BibleQuest curriculum and have discussed the creation and Noah’s ark stories. Middle school youth (Faith Adventurers) are using BibleQuest and a topical series called Faith in Motion. The high school youth (Faith Builders) are discussing a book called Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens and have discussed such topics as “truth” and “making choices”. You can see pictures of the children and youth in their classrooms on our website at www.rclpc.org. Click on the camera icon, then click on the top link named “IN THE NEWS”. New pictures will be added as we take them. The children and youth collected $139.91 for the peacemaking offering donated on World Communion Sunday, and have brought in several items needed by the food pantry. We will continue collecting items needed for the Crystal Lake Food Pantry over the next few weeks. Any items brought in can be placed in the bin back by the classrooms, or in the food pantry bin under the stairwell next to the Connecting Link. Peace, Kim Stewart Faith Formation Coordinator  OUR CHURCH WEBSITE HAS A NEW LOOKPlease take a moment to check it out at www.rclpc.org and let me know what you think of the new format. Check the website frequently to keep up to date with current information. The weekly bulletin, the Spirit, the bible passage of the week, and Rev. Floyd’s previous sermons can be found there. Information on choir notes, small groups, the Men’s Breakfast group, youth group news and events, and changes to worship times or special events are also on the website. If you are not at church and need to quick take a look at what’s coming up on the church calendar, check it out on the website. If you get home and wished you had kept the weekly bulletin with the calendar, go to the website and print it out. There are many picture albums to enjoy as well. If you click on the camera icon on the bottom left corner, a menu pops up to select the pictures that you would like to look at. Mary Moltmann is always taking great pictures for the newspapers and does an excellent job of getting the news of RCLPC out in public announcements. Each of these pictures can be found on the “Happenings at RCLPC” page if you select the “IN THE NEWS” link at the top of the menu. There are also links to the Presbytery News Service and daily readings. Let me know what you think or if you have suggestions of what could be added to our church website.~Kim Stewart USHERS NEEDED
Ushers will be needed for the following special services:Thanksgiving Eve service: Wednesday, Nov. 23rd at 7:30 pm. Two ushers are needed for this service. A signup is in the Connecting Link. Christmas Eve services, Dec. 24th at 3:30, 5:00, 7:30 (NewWay), 9:00, and 10:30. Also needed are families who would like to put out the luminaries before the 5:00 service on Christmas Eve. The luminaries look beautiful as people are driving up to the church that evening. There will be a signup sheet coming in the Connecting Link for anyone who would like to participate. ITEMS NEEDED FOR MUSICALWe need artificial ficus trees and greenery to decorate for our musical on October 30th. We also need wooden ladders, wooden stools, and white or tan sheets/cloth.Please contact Emily Floyd if you have any of these items that we can use and return. TAIZÉ PRAYER SERVICE
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CROP WALK
The Walk will be Sunday, October 16th. RCLPC Senior High and Middle School are accepting pledges. Some Boy Scout Troops are actively soliciting pledges, as well as several adult members of RCLPC. Please contribute as we assist Church World Services in their effort to alleviate world hunger. 15% of your contribution will remain with the Food Pantry and 10% will be given to PADS. Youth group members will be outside Fellowship Hall October16th to collect donations.FOOD PANTRY SUPPLIES LOW
The fall food drives have not begun and in our storage area we only have canned fruit. If you can help, please bring canned tomatoes, pancake mix, crackers both saltines and graham, coffee, snacks and cooking oil to the collection box at the church. Any help would be appreciated.FOOD PANTRY HOLIDAY DINNERS
The holiday meal pack from the Northern Illinois Food Bank is $25. The pack includes a 10-12lb turkey, two vegetables, potatoes, dessert and more all. Make your checks payable to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and give them to Nancy Vazzano, put them in her mailbox or leave them in the church office. Don’t mark anything else on the checks because if we have too much money the checks will help stock the pantry for the holidays. Thanks to your generosity, we have already raised enough money for 50 families!STEPHEN MINISTRY MESSAGE
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”Galations 6:2
We all experience challenges in life—times when we could benefit from the support of a caring Christian friend. Challenges like divorce, separation, hospitalization, loss of a loved one, terminal illness, or job loss are never planned. They just happen.
A Stephen Minister here at RCLPC is someone who will “be there” for his or her care receiver, meeting faithfully for about an hour each week, for as long as there is a need, providing the emotional and spiritual care we need when faced with a crisis or difficulty. Stephen Ministry is a confidential ministry.
If you or someone you know might benefit from a caring Stephen Ministry relationship, please contact Rev. Richard Floyd.
THE PUMPKINS ARE HERE!
Our church’s annual pumpkin and fall decoration sale will continue on Sunday October 16th. The hallways will be full of fun things to buy. So please wait and buy your pumpkins here! Cindee will also be taking orders for gourds, squash and small pie pumpkins that are great for school projects, scout groups or for crafts. Call Cindee to order yours today.| Asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?" The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin." God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see." |  |
NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTION
EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER - NAVAHO WAY
In the last edition of The Spirit, we talked about the home built for Army Spc. Lori Piestewa's family. What we didn't tell you was that there was another project presented on the same program that you can view on Website http://www.aptn.ca/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t419.html. A Veterans Center built for the Navajo Nation at Tuba City, Arizona! The Navajo and many other tribes have a very long history of service with the U. S. Armed Forces. The Navajo in particular have many third generation warriors, as was Lori Piestewa. There has never been a Veterans center anywhere on the Navajo reservation and the gratitude of the people was amazing to watch as the center opened for all Indian veterans from all wars and their families.
The Extreme Home Make Over staff showed such respect and understanding of the Native people that tears flowed from my eyes as well as from the staff members on the TV show. In one scene, a grateful Code Talker (there are only three Navaho Code Talkers still alive) honored one of the staff members with a denomination of Iraqi money that had been signed with all the Native survivors of the war - a treasured momento of the giver.
Great care had been taken to honor the Indian culture by conferring with representatives as the project progressed and having Indians build certain components of the Center in accordance with their spiritual beliefs. It appeared that none of Ty Pennington's crew had previously known anything about Native American culture and all were obviously impressed by those they met during this special project. If all non-Indians approached other cultures with the openness of spirit and respect these people exhibited it could go a long way in healing the open wounds still evident today.
As an Old Medic exclaimed, "Just when we're ready to give up on human beings, somebody comes along and messes with our minds by doing something completely selfless".
Joy Martin, Alice Haznedl, Ann Legg, Janet Pearce, Ginger Robinson, Rod Russell, MJ Towne, Gloria Thorson.
LARGE PRINT BULLETINS AND NEWSLETTER
Would you benefit from having a bulletin or newsletter that was a little bit easier to read with a larger font? Ask an usher on Sunday morning for a large print bulletin. They are available for both services. If you would like to receive a large print newsletter please contact the church office and we will make sure to put you on the list.WATERMARK CONCERT
The First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake will be hosting an “An Evening of Worship” with Nashville recording artist duo Watermark on October 28, 2005 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $13 advanced and $18 at the door. Groups over 10 - $12. Tickets can be purchased at New Life Bookstore in Crystal Lake and at the church office. The church is located at 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave. in Crystal Lake.This last Sunday found ANDREA PRACHT (wife of JIM) running in the Chicago Marathon. WOW! I can’t even imagine doing such a thing. Andrea finished in a little over four hours and was thrilled to say she ran all the way. She is proud that she accomplished her goal and very excited that she had ten toenails when all was done. Andrea began training in April with a group of 50-60 from Health Bridge – 18 WEEKS! She told me that 40,000 signed up for the race (she was number 37370) and it was estimated that there were over one million spectators. That really is something for you to be proud of Andrea, and we are very proud of you, also.
CHERYL BRINCKS (wife of DICK) just got back from St. Louis where she attended the Beta Sigma Phi Convention. This is a sorority that is for “Friendship, Learning and Service.” They meet monthly and some of their projects are: Food Pantry, Valley High Nursing Home, Hospice and Project Linus (making blankets for hospitalized children.) Sounds like a busy group. She said on the way they stopped in Branson for a couple of nights and took in many shows. That’s my kind of Convention.
Our young Thespian, GIANA STIPATI, (daughter of DENNIS and TINA, sister of JORDAN and DEREK) is busy doing another show (remember last year she was in The King and I.) This year she has a speaking part in The Children’s Hour. Tina assured me this is not just for children, but even the adults will enjoy this play. It runs from Oct. 13th through the 15th at Crystal Lake South High and is at 7:30 P.M. This sounds like a wonderful opportunity to take your family to a play and support Giana. On with the show!
I was sorry to hear that GRACE HAMILTON (Mother of JOHN and NANCY DELWARE) had fallen and hurt herself. She is doing better but I know she would enjoy a phone call or a little note from us all. Get well soon Grace. We miss you.
I am Happy to tell you that ERNIE DUNN (husband of HAZEL, father of VAL and EDDIE KRUKIEWICZ, grandpa of COLIN and CLAIRE ) is doing much better. So much so that they will be coming back “home” the middle of December for almost a month long visit. Val told me they were making arrangements for him to get his dialysis done here, and that he was even out for a short walk last week. Ernie, this is such marvelous news. We have been praying very hard for you, and we will continue. Keep getting better!
Well, we must come to the end. Thank you for spending this time with me, and PLEASE, get me some news!
I am, Barb Turley