Church Office
February 2025 - Lighter LIGHT
Newsletter
Church Office
The Light Summer 2024 1st Edition

February 2025 - Lighter LIGHT

We are going to send a formal version of The Light out next month, but we still wanted to share dates of events at the church this month.  

 

  • 2/2 | Worship and Sunday School @10am.  Deacon's Meeting @11:30

  • 2/7 | Woman's Fiber Arts @9:30

  • 2/9 | Worship and Sunday School @10am.  Annual Church Meeting following worship

  • 2/10 | Lunch and Learn (Greek Words for Love) 12-1pm.  Marina Bay Services

  • 2/14 | Woman's Fiber Arts @ 9:30am.  KID'S NIGHT OUT 5:30-8:30

  • 2/16 | Worship with Lori Bruni and Sunday School at 10am

  • 2/21 | Woman's Fiber Arts @ 9:30am

  • 2/23 | Worship with Lori Bruni and Sunday School @10am.

  • 2/24 | March LIGHT Articles Due.  Lunch and Learn  (Episode of The Chosen) @12-1pm

  • 2/26 | Bible Study @6PM

  • 2/28 | Woman's Fiber Arts @9:30am

 

 

This is the month where we focus on love.  In the bible there are several forms of love used in the Greek.  In the Bible, agape love is a type of unconditional love that is considered the highest form of love. It is a choice to act in ways that benefit others, and it is often described as sacrificial.  We know that in John 3:16 it states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  This is what many of us learned in Sunday school and it is the start of our communion service each month.  It is a love that is not dependent upon our actions, but upon God’s action towards us. 

 

This month as you see the red hearts and listen to the commercials for chocolate and roses, remember that the highest form of love we can have for each other  is not romantic or Familia, it is agape where we love the other because of who God has made them to be, not because of any special favor they can do for us, or how related we are to them. 

 

This month let us see the others around us and love them for who they are and celebrate their uniqueness.  God seeks to love us with the action of sacrificing for us.  Who in our lives are we sacrificing that they might come to know God a bit better?  Blessings as you explore this love of action and seek to share it.  Amen.

 

Also Rev. Wendy Sue will be out of the country from February 13-23.  If there is an emergency, please reach out to Lori Bruni--lori.bruni@ctschicago.edu  Lori will be with us on February 16 and 23. 

 

The Light January 2025

Happy New Year!!  Does anyone else feel like 2024 went by in the blink of an eye?  

 

We hope you are all settling back into your routines with good health!

 

Please find our January edition of The Light!  We will be moving to a quarterly-ish cadence of the article, but will be in touch with you every month with a message from our Pastor and a calendar of events.  The next Light will be out in March with all of our Lent and Easter news.

 

Please don't forget that our Annual Church Meeting will be on February 9th-following worship.  If you are in a chair position, please have your reports in no later than next Wednesday (January 15th).  

The Light October 2024

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, we are reminded of the beauty of this season. October brings not only a shift in nature but also exciting opportunities for our community to come together in faith and fellowship. In this month's newsletter, you'll find updates on upcoming events, inspiring stories, and ways to get involved. 

 

Here are a few important highlights: 

 

1. **Blessing of the Pets**: Join us with your furry friends this Sunday-October 6th at 12pm down at Orchard Beach for a special blessing and treat from Reverend Wendy Sue.  

 

2. **IMPORTANT Housekeeping**: Please update your contact information by filling out THIS FORM.  We ask that everyone in your household with an email complete the form.  We would like to include everyone in the Newsletters as we develop events for all ages!  If you know of someone that does not have access to complete the form online, we have copies in our office that can be filled out.  However, our office staff (😉) has worked hard to clean up the future of the system, but we need your help by completing the forms to start!

 

3. **Volunteer Opportunities**: We are in need of candy to hand out to the children in the community on Halloween.  

 

4. **Prayer Requests**: Please feel free to share any prayer requests with the congregation. We believe in the power of prayer and are here to support one another. 

 

5.  **Save the Date**: Our Fall Concert will be on November 3rd.  3-4:15pm with a reception to follow!

 

Let’s embrace this beautiful fall season together, growing in faith and community. 

 

Thank you for being a vital part of our church family! 

It looks like the calendar didn't stream in with the updates we had made to a few dates.  I have included the updated version of The Light.

 

The Light October 2024

Page 2

The Light September 2024

While you may be buckling up for your last road trip of this summer, sitting down to make a list of the final school supplies you need to purchase for your children (or yourself), or closing down your kitchen before you head to bed -- we wanted to offer you some LIGHT reading material with our September newsletter.  You will be happy to hear from the members of the church, details related to Rally Sunday, the First Day of Sunday School, our "usual events", NEW community events we are hosting this Fall and MORE!

 

We are also in the process of updating our directory of members, friends, and business partners, so please look for another email late next week with details on what we need from you.

The Light, Summer 2024 2nd Series

I hope everyone is able to stay cool over the next few days.  HERE is the latest edition of The Light.  We hope you enjoy all of the smiling faces from our incredible VBS week.  Thank you to all of the kids and volunteers for a fun week exploring our friendship with God and his underwater friends in SCUBA!

 

We look forward to seeing you at our outdoor worship on Sunday!

The Light Summer 2024 1st Edition

 

We are releasing The Light in two Summer Editions-- the second will come to you in Late July. 

 

Here is the first edition, filled with:

  • An update from Reverend Wendy Sue - we wish her well in her surgeries!

  • A note from our Trustees

  • A congregation meeting is scheduled for an update from our search committee (June 9)

  • Summer opportunities for for kids and teens

  • And MORE!

Be sure to spread the word about our Porchfest BBQ!

 

See you soon!