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NEWS and NOTES, page 1

.

“United in Car ing and Compass ion To Share God’s“United in Car ing and Compass ion To Share God’s

Love”Love”

From The Pastor by Rev. Steve Hoerger, Pastor Joni and I had a Groupon for a restaurant in Evanston and we decided to make an afternoon of it. We went to an art museum and viewed an exhibit on Charlotte Moorman, an avant-garde musician/artist from the sixties. We knew nothing about her prior to the visit, but the price was right. Moorman was born in Arkansas and studied cello at the prestigious Julliard School in New York. After graduating, she played professionally with an orchestra for five years. She left to dive head first into the avant-garde art scene that was happening in New York. We watched footage of her performances, which can only be described as bizarre. They involved random sounds, anything from cracking eggs, to blowing a kazoo, to firing a starter’s pistol. Every now and then she would play a few notes on her cello. Then she would get up; immerse herself in an oil drum filled with water, and return to playing her “music”. I didn’t get it, although I think I understand the “why” of what she was doing. We see reality, art and music through the lenses and forms we’ve been taught all our life. Charlotte was destroying all the rules and forms that made sense to us in order to get us to see and hear in a completely new way. I’m not sure it worked for me, but I respected what she was trying to do.My biggest insight came as we were leaving and I noticed her birth date. She was only one month younger than my father. I tried to picture my dad doing avant-garde performance art in Central Park… Not a pretty sight. In thirty years of ministry I have shepherded a very wide variety of people. I’ve pastored those who adhere closely to the accepted forms they’ve learned, and those who are so far outside of the box I can’t fully understand them. My task has been to make my heart big enough so that there’s room for everybody, but that’s not just my calling, it’s your calling too. A Christian always tries to understand, because understanding leads to enlightenment. A Christian always tries to see God in the other, because God is there. As the new life of spring begins to happen, may your heart grow as well.

Peace, Pastor Steve

April Scripture Readings A positive approach to

Salem United Church of Christ

N E W S a n d N O T E S April 2016; Issue 448


The Revised Common Lectionary is used in a broad array of churches and offers passages for each Sunday. Usually they are Old Testament with a related Psalm, Gospel and Epistle Readings (with some seasonal variations). Although it is not the practice in our church to read all the passages each Sunday, you may wish to do that as preparation for weekly worship.

life……“Look for the lessons in life, and be willing to learn. ”

Here are the passages for the upcoming weeks….

APRIL 3Acts 5:27 - 32Psalm 118:14 – 29 or Psalm 150Revelation 1:4 – 8John 20:19 – 31

APRIL 10Acts 9:1 – 6 (7 – 20)Psalm 30Revelation 5:11 – 14John 21:1 - 19

APRIL 17Acts 9:36 - 43Psalm 23Revelation 7:9 – 17John 10:22 - 30

APRIL 24Acts 11:1 - 18Psalm 148Revelation 21:1 – 6John 13:31 - 35

Deadline for the Mayissue of …….“News and

Notes”:April 24th.


April Birthdays

April Greeters

Prayer List: Shut-ins and those on the prayer list need to know We haven’t forgotten them. Please send them a card! Thanks, Marilyn Dabisch

April Liturgists

10:00 AM Worship Service

Finance Committee NotesIncome and Expense Summary:

As of Feb., 2016Income = $12,215.29Expenses = $12,679.16Profit/Loss = $(-)463.87

If you would like to review the details of the transactions which support these amounts, please contact Denise Lonigro at - - - 708-828-0201 or leave

April Acolytes

2 Donald Kiner 13 Mike Barker3 Delaney Collura 17 Stacy Barrett4 Pat Picard 22 Sue Golick6 Karen Rodriguez 23 Joanne Spellman8 Lynne Lovell 27 Ronald Steffens9 J. Edward Thorne 30 Darlene Dvornik

APRIL 3RD. Beth & Lionel RomanzovAPRIL 10TH. Martha Sydanmaa & Diana HarveyAPRIL 17TH. Betty & Sam LevatoAPRIL 24TH. Aline & Norm Wiedow

Please try to be in place at least 20 min. before start of service.

SHUT-IN LIST: PRAYER LIST:Elfriede Pikoulas Shirley NicholsonRobert Jensen Tom & Sue HeussRosebude Goodbread Corrine ComrieMarilyn Dawson Ted JenningsNancy Van Zee Dorothy KopeckBob & Pat Hays Audrey WeirCarol Miller Claude WolcottJan Tolchin Sue Golick

The Streitbergers

APRIL 3RD. Phil HauzeAPRIL 10TH. Rob BendikAPRIL 17TH. Gene DinonAPRIL 24TH. Aline Wiedow

APRIL 3RD. Andrew KoronkiewiczAPRIL 10TH. Eric GriffithAPRIL 17TH. Ben RangelAPRIL 24TH. Aidan Hefner


a note in the Treasurer’s mailbox outside of the Church office.

NEWS


MISSIONS: The Missions Committee is undergoing a reorganization in the way we will handle projects going forward. We will individually manage projects of our own choosing, which will be overseen by our committee as a whole. If no one steps up to take charge of a potential mission, we will not be able to take the project on. If you would like a to make your mark on a particular mission, now is the time to become a part of the Missions Committee and see your ideas through to fruition. Our next meeting is April 17th

following worship. Please continue to support our efforts to collect breakfast and lunch items for PADS. It is only with your assistance that we are able to accomplish as much as we do. For more information, see Pam McWilliams. Salem’s PADS season will end with our April 24 dinner. Please listen for announcements and look for information in your weekly bulletin regarding a special end-of -year gift we will be providing to our guests. The Missions Committee

S U G G E S T I O N B O X : The box is opened at the end of every month. PLEASE…..sign your suggestions ! ! ! Please…..no nonsensical, inane or frivolous suggestions!ATTENTION: The suggestion box has been sitting in the Message Center for months and no one has put anything in the box, yet there are so many people who have thoughts and concerns, but they won’t ask the proper individuals to get there questions or concerns resolved. Therefore, with the option of giving one more chance for your potential inquiries or thoughts towards Salem, we will, with a heavy heart, remove the suggestion box.

S O M E T H I N G T O P O N D E R : "What if you woke up tomorrow with only those things for which you thanked God for TODAY?"

A S K T H E P A S T O R :

The box for “Ask the Pastor” is in the Message Center. Pastor was prepared to answer three recent questions, but misplaced them. Would those individuals please resubmit your questions for the May Newsletter.

S A L E M M E M B E R S H A V E A G R A C I O U S H E A R T : When Salem is asked to give for the poor, needy and sick our members all step up and open their hearts and do so. This past month several of our members have participated in a number of fundraising events. In the event that you see various members with their heads shaved, it is because they were raising money for St. Baldrick’s Day. They are Pam McWilliams, Deb Snyder, Lynette Lake, Cooper Lake and Serena Lake with honorable mention to Terry Ganzer (Who wears his hair short all year round). Serena also did the Polar Plunge. In addition, Amanda Pohrte had her beautiful long hair cut for “Pantene Beautiful Lengths”. They give the hair to the American Cancer Society to make wigs for cancer patients. We sure are a giving church. God Bless them all.

A N O T E F R O M T H E K I T C H E N : When putting items in the refrigerator or in the chest freezer please label them with your name and date. Also, the first 2 shelves on the left hand side of the refrigerator (as you are facing it) are reserved for coffee hour.In addition, remove all items that are left unusedas well as those items that are out of date! Thank you, The Kitchen Staff

A N O T E F R O M T H E W O R S H I P C O M M I T T E E : The Worship Committee wishes to thank everyone who purchased an Easter plant to help beautify our altar area for the celebration of the Resurrection. Thanks and blessings to all, Your Worship Committee

B O A R D O F C H R I S T I A N E D U C A T I O N : A big thank you to all the families who have had relatives and friends visiting for the First Communion and Easter services this past


month. As a result we have had a welcome boost to our Sunday School group. Keep those friends and family members coming!! We were so proud of our children who celebrated their First Communion on March 6th: MacKenzie Gatton, Kayleigh Bendik and Andrew Koronkiewicz. Each of you are special to us. On Easter Sunday we held an Easter egg hunt for the children and each family made a beautiful mosaic cross to take home. Thank you to Karen for preparing that special craft activity and to Traci for conducting that day's lesson. In the next month we will continue with the stories of the Bible and learning how they apply to our own everyday lives. Thank you, Roberta Hardy

P A D S V O L U N T E E R R E C O G N I T I O N S U N D A Y – A P R I L 1 7 T H . : PADS Volunteer Recognition Sunday – April 17th

As another year of serving homeless women and children in our area comes to an end, we would like to give a special thank-you to all those who volunteered their time to serve. There will be a time of recognition and prayer during the service, followed by a simple brunch for everyone following the church!

A T A D O F H U M O R : Several children found a dead robin. Feeling that a proper burial should be performed, they secured a small box and some cotton batting, dug a hole in the back yard, and made ready to dispose of the deceased. The minister's 5-year-old son was chosen to say the prayer. And so with great dignity, he intoned, "Glory be to the Father...and unto the Son...and into the hole he goes."

W O M E N ’ S G U I L D : We will not be having a Guild meeting in April. Our next meeting will be May 10th. We will celebrate Mother’s Day. Lunch will be from Chi Tung. The cost will be $6 again. Everyone is invited; both men and women.

Inspiration:

“Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so." - John Stuart Mill

S A L E M C A R D S T O R E : Remember to stop by the card shop after church on Sunday mornings. The store is located in Zion Hall. They sell cards at a very reasonable price as well as many other items. So stop by and say hello to Alice and Tom Machtemes and browse through their selections. I am confident you will find something that you absolutely need; especially greeting cards.

T H A N K Y O U C O R N E R : An extra special thank you to the men’s group, as they had to set up and take down Zion Hall numerous times during the month of March. We had weekly Wednesday evening services, Guild and elections. Great job gentleman. What would we do without all of you? I might add that the men’s group is diminishing each year. They are down to just five individuals currently. Don Michaels the chief boss, Don Dvornik, Terry Ganzer, Claude Wolcott and John Thorne. To all the Shepherding groups who assisted with the reading and refreshments for the Wednesday night services. It would take too long to mention everyone by name that assisted with the Shepherding groups. You all know who you are. We thank everyone. Also to O & A for initiating the first Wednesday prayer service. To Emily Griffith who was there to contribute to whatever needed attending to. You would see her moving tables, taking down the cross, and working in the kitchen. Where- oh-where does she get all that energy? To Joni Hoerger, Kevin McWilliams and Wendy Miller for providing the music every Wednesday evening at the prayer service. To Eric Griffith and Jacob McWilliams for their help in the Wednesday evening services. To Tom Machtemes for assisting with the taking down and setting up of Zion Hall after Wednesday Services. To the choir for their intoning on Easter Sunday. To the “Field of Dreams” band and singer who also performed on Easter Sunday.


To Bill Wolfson who performed the trumpet solos at the Easter Service. To all the children who took part in the opening procession. Maggie Lake Caleb Bendik Aidan Hefner Alexander Koronkiewicz Jacob McWilliams To Deb Baronsik who sang with the Field of Dreams Singers. To Raymond Schwartzkopf and Bill Westphal for his singing and reading at the Good Friday Services. To Lisa Klietz for her playing with the Field of Dreams Band. To Marsha Sumner and Joni Hoerger for their outstanding directing and wonderful music during the Holy week services. To the men and children who put the living cross together.To Marianne Cox for providing the refreshments for the last Praying Around theCross service. To Gil Oliva for being one of the readers for the final Praying around the cross service along with Pastor Steve. To Dennis Reveni for taking all those wonderful pictures at all of our special events. To Claude Wolcott for taking all the political signs down around the church. To the 12 children who performed the 12 people at the table on Maundy Thursday…..They are:Chris LeClair Ashlee GriffithAllison Hefner Aidan HefnerAmanda Pohrte Alexis KoronkiewiczJacob McWilliams Danny LanuderdaleJackie Carvelli Courtney LeverenzMathew Gatton Noah Connor Special thanks to Emily Griffith and Amanda Barclay who put so much time in to make this performance happen. Fantastic undertaking! To the Youth Group for their efforts in preparing a fantastic and palatable breakfast on Easter Sunday. And last but not least to Pastor Steve for putting the whole Lenten and Holy weeks services together. You did an outstanding job and it was much appreciated to everyone who attended those services. We are blessed to have you with us. Respectfully, Lynda GanzerA P I E C E O F T R I V I A :

A note concerning British royalty….an earl is a British nobleman of a rank below that of a marquis and above that of a viscount. An earl was called a count for a time after the Norman Conquest. The wife of an earl is a countess.

R E C I P E C O R N E R : SLOWER COOKER HAM AND SCALLOPED POTATOES 1 ½ lbs of ham cut into 8 slices. 8 to 10 medium sized potatoes thinly sliced. 2 onions peeled and thinly sliced. Package shredded cheddar cheese. 1 can celery soup.Spray crock pot. Put ½ ham slices in bottom of crock pot. Layer with ½ sliced potatoes and onion. S&P to taste. Spread half cheese over potatoes. Repeat layers. Top with celery soup. Cook on low 8-10 hours or high for 4 hours.

C O F F E E D O N A T I O N S : It is with a heavy heart that it has to be mentioned once again, but people are not putting in a humble pittance in the donation box for their coffee and cake. The ladies in the kitchen are putting out their own capital for supplies. Please submit your beneficence when you partake of your coffee and cake. Also, the ladies buy a gallon of milk to be used with the coffee on Sundays. Sometimes they assume that the milk is there only to discover that there is no milk! Please….please… do not take the milk unless you plan to replenish what you use..

G O D : DESIGNED ME CREATED ME BLESSES ME HEALS ME DEFENDS ME FORGIVES ME LOVES ME ALWAYS


B A B Y S H O W E R F O R B A B Y A N D R E W : On April 3rd we will be having a baby shower for Andrew and mommy Brittany. The shower will be held after church. We will have a sign-up sheet if you plan on attending. As in the past we are asking people to bring an appetizer/snack to share.

U S A G E O F R O O M S W I T H I N T H E C H U R C H C O N F I N E S : If you would like to use a room within the church for an event, whether it be a church event or an outside event, please contact Lynda Ganzer to determine if the room is available for the time frame of your request.

S T A Y A N D P R A Y : Stay and Pray will meet after church on a date determined by Joni Hoerger. This women's group meets in the lounge after church, once a month, to take time for prayer. Please see Joni Hoerger if you want more information, or simply stay and pray with us!

A D D I T I O N A L W O R D S O F I N S P I R A T I O N :

“ I judge myself not by what I have,But what I’m willing to give”

Lord, help me to remember thatNothing is going to happen today

that You and I can’t handle

C A N D L E S O N T H E A L T A R : For anyone having occasion to place candles on the altar: Please be sure to put a plexi-glass protector on the altar under ALL candles, regardless of their holder. Burning, moving, and blowing out all can spread candle wax on the altar cloth. While the wax is removable, the coloring is very difficult to remove. The plexiglass sheets are in a holder right outside the door at the front of the church. Thank you for your cooperation, The Worship Committee.

F O U R W I N D S C A S I N O T R I P : The next trip to Four Winds will be on April 10th. The cost is still the same - $30, Everything remains as it has been in the past. Don’t forget to bring your canned goods for the Food Pantry. Get your money in as soon as possible.

S H E P H E R D G R O U P S M E E T :Everyone at Salem is a part of a Shepherd Group. These are small groups that meet in homes or at church three or four times a year for fellowship and prayer. If you’re not sure of your group please ask Pastor Steve. Here are the meeting times and places: West Group – Bob and Bobbi Evtuch’s home – Friday April 15th at 6:30pm North Group – Rob Bendik and Joan Anton lead at church – Sunday April 17th 11:30am South Group – Matt and Jen Gilles home – Saturday April 23rd at 2:00pm East Group – Martha Sydanmaa’s home – Sunday April 17th. at 5:00pm

A N O T E F R O M S U E G O L I C K :This was an item that I should have included in the March Newsletter. My apologies, Sue.Terry G. If all goes as planned, by the time the March Newsletter comes out, I shall have had my fourth surgery in a nine month period. The support I have received from the good folks at Salem has been so greatly appreciated. It brightens the day while recuperating to find a card in the mail or get an email or phone call. So whether you did any of these or maybe said a prayer for me, just know that I very much appreciate it. I think knowing others care does help in the healing process. With thanks, Sue Golick

A N O T E F R O M P I L G R I M F A I T H : Pilgrim Faith extends its gratitude for our donations to its food pantry. Thanks again and blessings, Pilgrim Faith Pantry Carol Burke


T H E A P R I L C R A F T F A I R : Our Spring Craft & Vendor Fair is set for April 16th. We are still looking for a few Crafters or Vendors to complete our day. We hope everyone will have a chance to stop by to shop, or have lunch. This is a money maker for the church and we hope you can attend. We have nearly new, books, raffles, lunch bakery and over 25 Crafters and Vendors. Please stop and shop.Martha Sydanmaa and Marge Holoubek

J O U R N E Y I N G T H R O U G H L I F E :Hello Friends: Journeying through life is not easy. We encounter stumbling blocks and pray for them to become stepping stones. So many decisions to be made. We often find ourselves at the proverbial "fork in the road" asking: "This way or that way? Should I do this, or should I do that"? No matter the choice, there will always be another hill to climb; another hurdle to jump over. At some point, you may find yourself confronted by a "brick wall". This is a situation appearing bigger than life itself. You cannot get past it. There is no getting around it. You can't get over it. And you definitely believe you cannot get through it. Walking away from this "brick wall" doesn't remove it. Turning your back doesn't make it go away. Pretending it doesn't exist will not help either. You will find yourself "walled in" if another one happens to appear. Purposeful life cannot exist if you are housed between these walls. Faith can and will set you free to live again. - If faith can move a mountain (Matt 17:20) - If faith can transplant a tree into the ocean (Luke 17:6) Then faith is what's needed to move a "brick wall." In God's inspired written word, Jesus tells us again and again to have the faith of a mustard seed. So in faith, plant yourself like a mustard seed in front of that brick wall. Remain in faith by reading His inspired word daily, lifting up the sword to do battle (Ephesians 6:17). You will surely gain strength and grow in your faith. Once planted a mustard seed can grow 15ft high. This seed knows God will provide the sunlight, rain and other nutrients needed for its growth.

God has provided his inspired written word for our growth. It is the sword of faith we need to fight our battles; to conquer "brick walls," to keep us strong. Life isn't meant to be fully understood. It is meant to be fully lived.(Read Ecclesiastes) Purposeful life is enjoying life and using every gift God has given us. Don't let a "brick wall" stand in your way of living life to its fullest. Pick up the sword. Go into battle. Use those stepping stones and jump over hurdles. Climb the hills! You can make it, you are armed. Stand tall against every "brick wall." Like that tiny mustard seed you have grown. The "brick wall" is still large, but no longer larger than life. With the help of the sword, tear it down. You are in control of your battle field. Fight the good fight! Blessings, Debra Allison

M I R A C L E S D O H A P P E N : This week, being one of the holiest weeks of the year, T and I have witnessed two astounding events. You have been made aware of both of these people, as we have been praying in church for them the past couple of weeks. First, let me tell you about Frank Belletire. It is important to know that Frank is a Vietnam veteran who was severally injured in that war. He was not expected to live but has survived a number of serious injuries inflicted on the battlefield. Without going in to all the details about his illness, I will start when he was ultimately admitted into the hospital. Each day he was there his condition worsened and still the doctors could not determine what was wrong. They ran every test that they could conceive. In fact, several tests were run multiple times along with a variety of blood tests. I don’t think they missed any known test. However, Frank ultimately slipped into a coma and was getting worse each day. For some reason, I felt, in my heart, that he was going to come out of this as he was and is such a fighter. Each day he got a bit worse and I was beginning to wonder if my feeling about him being a fighter was correct. Frank remained in the coma for several days and then on Sunday, March 20th., he woke up and asked what he was doing in the hospital and that he wanted to go home. Well… not only did he come out of the coma but his memory, which was failing during this episode, has returned along with his ability to speak, which neither he


could do prior to the coma. He is walking with assistance, and was transferred today to a rehab center. The power of prayer is wonderful. Frank now has a new perspective on life, faith and the power of prayer. Our second marvel comes from T’s brother Larry. He was admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain as well as chest pain and was apparently doing well until he took an unexpected turn for the worse to where he had to be admitted to the I.C.U. For several days he was totally out of being able to communicate or eat. The attending doctors told us not to leave, as they did not think he was going to make it through the night. However, after a number of days of intravenous feedings and various tests and related C-Scans, he has made a tremendous return to something close to normal and as of March 24th., they moved him to a regular room. His next move will be to a rehab facility. Both T and I feel blessed that we were able to witness these remarkable revelations and know that the power of prayer does work, and miracles do happen. God Bless you all Lynda Ganzer

T H E E A S T E R B R E A K F A S T : Thanks to the Youth Group for the tremendous Easter breakfast. It was a most enjoyable feast. Unfortunately, it had a very poor attendance. If it is to be continued next year, and I hope it is, it will need a greater promotion. Thanks to Emily Griffith and Sue and Steve Pohrte for their input in that venture. Let’s see a lot more folks there next year. Respectfully, Terry Ganzer


April 2016Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

OA 7: PMAl-Anon 7: PMChoir – 7:15 PMB.T.G.

1OA 7: PMLock-In

2

3Church Service 10:00 AMFamily Communion SundayConfirmation Class Brittany Jennings ShowerB.T.G.

4Band – 7:15 PMBlanket Making – 10-11: AM

5Bazaar Crafters9: AMAA 7: PM Men’s GroupB.T.G.

6

7OA 7: PMAl-Anon 7: PMChoir – 7:15 PMB.T.G.

8OA 7: PMWest Shepherding

9

10Church Service 10:00 AM

11Band – 7:15 PMBlanket Making – 10-11: AMCouncil – 7:30 PM

12 Bazaar Crafters9: AM AA 7: PM Men’s GroupWomen’s Guild @Noon B.T.G.

13 14

Choir – 7:15 PM

15 16 Craft Fair

17Church Service 10:00 AMCommunion SundayConfirmation ClassEast & North ShepherdingB.T.G.


19Bazaar Crafters 9: AM AA 7: PM Men’s GroupB.T.G.

20

21OA 7: PMAl-Anon 7: PMChoir – 7:15 PM

22OA 7: PM

23

Bridal Shower-Zion Hall 12-6

South Shepherding

24Church Service 10:00 AMB.T.G.


26Bazaar Crafters 9: AM AA 7: PM Men’s GroupB.T.G.

27 28OA 7: PMAl-Anon 7: PMChoir – 7:15 PM

29OA 7: PM

30Holoubek Wedding

T.B.D. = To Be DeterminedOA = Overeaters Anon.

B.T.G. = Beverly Theater Group – Meet on Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday

B.T.G. time frames – Tues., Weds.Thurs. -7:PM – 10:30 PM

B.T.G. time frames –Sun. -1:PM – 5:PM

AA – Alcoholics Anonymous

OA – Overeaters Anonymous

April Showers!

Salem United Church of Christ9717 S. Kostner AvenueOak Lawn, Illinois 60453-3547

(708) 423-9717www.SalemOakLawn.org

NEWS and NOTESApril 2016 Issue No. 448

Rev. Steve Hoerger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……………...PastorJean Beauvais . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ….. Church SecretaryTerry Ganzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. …. Newsletter EditorTrudy Transier. . . . . ……………...Newsletter DistributorVirginia Johnson………………….. Typographical Editor

Apri

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