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Celebrating the Journey November 2014

Congregational Church of Algonquin 109 Washington Street Algonquin, Illinois 60102 847-658-5308

email: algonquinucc@gmail.com website: algonquinucc.org

“Living our faith in Jesus Christ through acceptance, service and love.”

INSIDE

Pastors Corner pg. 2 Pastor Cope pg. 3 Pastor Arn Member Care pg. 4 Prayer’s, Shut-ins, Address Changes pg. 5 Birthdays, Memorial Sunday, Anniversaries

Activities pg. 6 Tuesday’s with the Pastor, Men's Fellowship, Women's Fellowship pg. 7 Faith in Action, Yarn Works, Bunco

Bulletin Board

pg. 8 Literacy Tutoring, Help Wanted, Name Tags pg. 9 Radio Players, Food Pantry, Help Wanted

Worship Assistants

pg.10 Shep U, Coffee Hour, Liturgists, Acolytes, Users & Greeters

News from the Office

pg.10 Thank You’s, Treasurers Report, Notes

About CCA and UCC

pg.12 More information about the UCC denomination and contact information for CCA

Inserts

November Calendar Poinsettia Order Form “That they may all be one.” John 17:21

Celebrate our 25+ year members and dedication of the new Sanctuary.

Blessed to be a blessing “…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Remember and honor those who have past.

Decorating of the Sanctuary in preparation for Christmas.

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Dear Friends,

Over the years I have had the opportunity to talk to a lot of people about church budgets and

pledge campaigns. For the most part, people usually see the budget as a necessary evil – or,

since we are talking about the church – an obligation. There probably little that anyone can say

that can make it better than it is. Every year I go back to the Bible to get a better understanding

of the process of tithing. The more I study, the more convinced I am that there is

another way of thinking about why we give to the church.

Giving to the church is not about numbers but about community; it is more about perspective

than percentage. We give when we feel that we are part of a family, and our giving is just one

way we have of supporting our family. Families don’t give – they share. That is what we do with

our budget – we share both in the obligations and the joys of our life together.

With that in mind – I came across a passage in the 14th chapter of Deuteronomy that underscores

this perspective. When the Israelites were to gather their tithe, they were to bring it to one place.

“Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice”.

Indeed this is repeating what is said in chapter 12 – “There, in the presence of the Lord your God

you shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has

blessed you”.

When we give to the church, it is to be an occasion of feasting and joy, not an obligation. It

should be a celebration of sharing, knowing two things – that we can accomplish so much more

together than we ever can alone, and what we are sharing are blessings given to us by God. No

amount put on a pledge card or written on a check is ever from our own pocketbook, but comes

from God’s checking account. As Robert C. Heerspink says: God pays for the ministry of his

church out of his own pocket!

Your pledge packets are either on their way to you, or you already have received them. This year

we will not beg you to give generously, nor will we urge you to sacrifice prayerfully. This year, we

are asking you to pass on what God has given to you, and share with us. Join us on Sunday,

November 9, 2014 for our Celebration Sunday so that we can rejoice together in the presence of

the Lord!

-Rev. Cope

Pastors Corner

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KINDNESS…

Someone has once said:

To give pleasure to a single heart by a single kind act is better than a thousand head

bowings in prayer.

One definition of KINDNESS has it as an act of caring for which all the skill in the world cannot

suffice.

Kindness is not a payback for favors received; it is unearned warmth given for no reason at all.

Perhaps the kindnesses we most remember are the ones that came most unexpectedly.

To be kind is to be approachable in all situations. Hard times are hard enough without our adding

to them by making it even more difficult for others to survive the difficulties.

Kindness offers a special kind of healing. It strengthens the weak and gives hope to the

depressed. It makes another week, another day, another hour possible. To be kind means we

have the strength it takes to be ourselves without having to take advantage of others in the

process.

No one fears a person who is kind. Everyone feels safe with the person who is kind. To be

consistently kind in the way we deal with others is a greater gift than any other gift we have to

give. We often talk about “loving one another”; it might be more impacting to simply be kind to

one another.

Or as the Talmud states:

Deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments.

Blessing for the journey… Rev. Arn

Pastors Corner

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Tom Houp Mekever Jr Roman Tatarinowicz Paul Finch Max George Ryan Williams Sean Hackney

Patrick McMahon Michael Hartman

Travis Primrose Chris Higgins

John (Jay) Hogrewe

As well as with a card, call, or visit the

following individuals who are not always able

to be with us:

Remember in Prayer

Betty Blair Clare Oaks Rehab Center 825 Carillon Dr Bartlett, IL 60103 Louise Dahm (home) 1005 South Rd. Fox River Grove, IL 60021 Marge Hanley 808 Menominee Drive Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 Joyce Horn Alden Terrace 803 Royal Dr. McHenry, IL 60050 Erna Houdek Valley Hi 2406 Hartland Rd. Woodstock, IL 60098 George & Betty Imhoff 731 Oceola Drive Algonquin, IL 60102

Donna Krueger Sunrise Senior Living 790 N. Plum Grove Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173

Janet Larsen Valley Hi 2406 Hartland Rd. Woodstock, IL 60098

Edna McCormick 1215 Geringer Road Algonquin, IL 60102 Frances Newberg c/ Bob Newberg 532 S. Kennicott Ave. Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Thea O’Connor (NEW)

c/o Liberty Estates 2080 W. Navajo Dr. #341 Freeport, IL 61032 Ron Reed Florence Nursing Center 546 East Grant Hwy. Marengo, IL 60152 Glen True 25 Lincoln Dundee, IL 60118 Barb Whitaker Sunrise Assisted Living 751 Terra Cotta Avenue Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Ethel Yamashita Sunrise Senior Living 790 N. Plum Grove Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173

Send a card and let our

friends know we miss

them.

Would you like a visit from Rev. Cope?

If you are going to have surgery, or would like Rev Cope to visit you at home, please contact him directly by calling the church office or his cell # at 224-535-1778. Whenever possible, he likes to have a word of prayer with you before you have your surgery. If you know ahead of time that you are having surgery, you may put a note in the offering plate.

You do not need to be ill or recovering from surgery to request a visit. Please call the church office or his cell number to request a visit.

HELP US HONOR OUR CHURCH MEMBERS

Not all of our church members can come to church. Through no fault of their own, circumstances force them out of the church building. Over the years, we have labeled them “Shut-Ins” or “Homebound” to identify them, but the labels themselves end up isolating them from our fellowship. What we want to know especially when we can't get to church is that our fellowship is not bound by space. We want to know that as a part of this congregation, we belong together as a family. To help people who cannot come to church feel a part of our family, we are asking you for three things:

Remember them in your prayers Send them a note or card letting them know that you are thinking of them. If possible, call them to say 'Hello”.

This month we are lifting up two of our members: Janet Larsen and Edna McCormick. You will find their addresses listed above. Let them know that they are a part of our family and that they are missed and thought about.

Member Care

We have had a few of our

members move this month, check out their new addresses!

Vi Colbert; 101 Eastgate Court #104

Algonquin, IL 60102

Thea O’Conner c/o Liberty Estates

2080 W. Navajo Dr. # 341 Freeport, IL 61032

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November Anniversaries November Birthdays

4th Nate and Michelle Bockrath 8 years

16th Bob and Alice Woertendyke 46 years

16th John and Pam Novak 40 years

19th Kurt and Kay Boyer 48 years

21st Richard and Lore Sprouse 22 years

24th Kevin and Tina McMahon 25 years

01 Shirley Basler 11 Jackson Gray

01 Paul Cope 13 Oliver Lindgren

02 Erna Houdek 14 Kim Jamison

02 Billy Hellyer 18 Janet Larsen

03 Ian Wilson 22 Dena Tarosas

04 Larry Venzon 23 Jordan Guenther

04 Patrick Sprouse 24 Norm Elliott

05 JoLinn Fack 24 Melanie Glover

06 Bill Baldauf 25 Kenneth Hemmingsen

08 Karen Guenther 26 Jim Plassard

10 Rick Stauffer 29 Wynn Van Holleran

11 Nancy Kneip 29 Bryan Glover

The following individuals have been recently hospitalized and/or had surgery since our last

newsletter:

Mike Armato

Gary Gray

Everyone loves a gift of warm wishes on their special occasion.

Send a card to a friend!

On Sunday, November 23th, during the worship services we will remember those loved ones who have passed away in this church year. During the worship we will read the name and light a candle for each member of the church who has died and others who have had funerals in our church. We will also have a time when everyone will be invited to come forward for any of their loved ones who have passed before us. This is a meaningful way to remember and honor our loved ones. If you would like to add your loved ones name to the list read on Memorial Sunday please submit the name to Wanda in the church office Via email at algonquinucc@gmail.com or by phone at 847-658-5308

Heritage Sunday is also Erna Houdek’s 75th year anniversary as being a member here at CCA. It just so happens that November 2nd is also Erna’s 94th Birthday!! The Deacons were thinking wouldn’t it be a great idea if she received 94 birthday cards on her 94th birthday? If you would like to help flood her with birthday wishes, send her a card. Erna Houdek Valley Hi 2406 Hartland Rd. Woodstock, IL 60098

6 Activities

Shop

Heavenly Attic Resale Shop

307 South Main Street Algonquin, IL 60102-2655

Phone: 847-854-4552

Hours: Tuesday thru Friday 10am to 4pm

Saturday 10am to 2 pm

The Heavenly Attic Resale Shop stocks gently used items and is open to the public. Proceeds

from the Attic support the missions and ministries of the Congregational Church of

The Church Calendar is available on line for all to see at any time. Just go to our website algonquinucc.org and choose the “Calendar” page and that is where you can see an up to date calendar of events for the Church year.

If you wish to have an event/meeting put on the calendar, please use the Form for adding/changing/cancelling an event.

Using the forms, will indicate to the office your

needs for the meeting and allow the Church

Office to keep our meetings up to date and

make sure you have a room when you need

one. You can find the form in the mailbox

marked “forms” or attached to the office desk

calendar.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

8:00 am November 8th

In Fellowship Hall Every 1

st Wednesday is Game Day

2nd

-4th

Wednesday's are focused on

fellowship

Women’s Weekly Fellowship Wednesday's at 10 am

Faith, Fun & Friendship

Tuesdays

with the

Pastor

4:30 - 6:00

We invite you to join us every Tuesday for a

Bible study with Pastor Cope.

New people are always welcome for a stimulating

study and discussion.

TUESDAYS 9:00 AM – NOON

The Senior Center meets weekly at the Congregational Church. It provides a gathering

place for senior adults where fellowship, socialization, educational and enrichment

opportunities are available. The center is open each Tuesday from 9:00 am to noon. If you have

any questions, please contact the church at 847-658-5308 and leave a message for

WynnAnn Roggeveen.

“Living our faith in Jesus Christ through acceptance,

service and love”

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1st Saturday of the month

Nov. 1st

Volunteer your time or a meal to help someone in need

See the sign-up sheet in Fellowship Hall

Community and School Service hours are given

“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” James 2:18

November 9th & 23rd

We meet on the Second and Fourth Sundays each month to plan ways to make the world a better place, using Scripture to guide us how to put our Faith into Action.

All Youth are Welcome.

Activities

Yarn Works We knit, crochet, and all other type of hand work. New people are always welcome: we

have supplies to get you started, and absolutely lovely people to teach you if you want to learn. Our work helps support our

Prayer Shawl Ministry, Snug Hugs for Kids, and our own personal projects.

Join us Thursdays at 10:00 am In Fellowship Hall

2nd Friday of every month

7:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall $5 cost to play

Play for a cause! Winner chooses a mission of their

choice to donate winnings to.

See Sign-up Sheet in Fellowship Hall

ublic

ction

to

eliver

helter

November 20th

At 7:00 pm

At the Parsonage

Check us out on the web!

www.algonquinucc.org

You can view important church information, upcoming events, the most updated monthly calendar, and you can

even order Fair Trade items online!

Keep and eye out for the most up to date

information by staying connected!

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Name Tags with our beautiful Comma Logo are available for $7.20. Each name tag is 3” x 1/5 “and has a strong magnet, so it never harms your clothing. Forms to order your new name tag can be found at the back of Fellowship Hall and at the Front Desk.

Literacy Tutoring Informational Meeting

Sunday, November 9, 2014 11:15 am Conference Room

Would you like to learn more about the problem of illiteracy in our Community? Do you think you might be interested in tutoring an adult who is learning how to read? Could this even be something you would feel called to do? If you would like to learn more about this interesting and rewarding way to help others, this meeting is for you. We will learn what is involved in becoming a tutor and decide if we want to pursue this as an act of mission through our Church.

Did you know?

There are nearly 200 people waiting in our area that

are in need of a tutor?

If you can’t read, you can’t vote, drive safely, text, email, apply for a better job, know which restroom you can use, and many more things

that if you are reading this, you take for granted.

With some training, you can help others rid themselves of this

burden of illiteracy and help them change their lives.

There are openings on the

worship/communion committee.

Are you interested in helping

for a brief or

annual commitment? Duties

include changing color altar cloths and preparing

for communion once a month. Tell any member of

the Ministry of Deacons your interest.

Whitey Hemmingsen, Dede Gray, Dave or Janet Aggen, Ken Thime or Heather Wilson.

Hanging of the Greens

November 23, 2014

Join us after the 10am service to decorate the church for Advent and

Christmas

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Those were the days radio players

November 9, 2014, 3:00 pm

$10 Advance Sale or $12 at the door

In Fellowship Hall Fun for all ages Call the office

for tickets now

It it's a good time to stock up on your favorite coffee in flavors and regular, and they make nice gifts this time of year.

We're on the church website: algonquinucc.org

Equal Exchange's mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through our success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and

sustainable world.

November 9th is

Fair Trade

Sunday!

Fair Trade

THE TUESDAY WITH THE PASTOR study group is challenging themselves and the congregation to “Go the Extra Mile, and Give More” whenever possible. Towards this goal, we are choosing two items every month for us to give above our regular giving to the Algonquin/Lake in

the Hills Food Pantry and the Home of the Sparrow Women and Children Shelter. For November, if you would like to help out the Food Pantry, please bring

Peanut Butter and Jelly. If you can help the Home of Sparrow, please bring 3m Hooks and bathroom cleaner.

Items currently needed:

Peanut Butter And Jelly

Items currently needed:

3m Hooks (all sizes) And Bathroom Cleaner

Nursery care provider wanted:

Pay is $30.00 per Sunday Safe Church Certification and CPR are required. We will help train you in Safe Church Policies

CPR classes are offered in many nearby communities Contact Sharon Stengel if you are interested.

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ACOLYTE SCHEDULE

Nov. 2 Hanna & Nolan Pociejewski

Nov. 9 Macy Barham

Nov. 16 Ian & Marian Wilson

Nov. 23 Robert Woertendyke

Nov. 30 Andrew Sprouse

Ushers Greeters

Nov. 2 Main: Ron Martens Desk: Dede Gray

Corner: Anna Benjamin Corner: Lore Sprouse

Nov. 9 Main: Ron Martens Desk: Sally Cope

Corner: Nidia Kulack Corner: Lois Carpenter Nov. 16 Main: Ron Martens Desk: Peg Schwab

Corner: Ed Turk Corner: Dave Carris

Nov. 23 Main: Ron Martens Desk: Sally Cope

Corner: Peg Schwab Corner: Sharon Stengel

Nov. 30 Main: Ron Martens Desk: Peg Schwab

Corner: Dick Elke Corner: Wynn Ann

Roggeveen

LITURGIST SCHEDULE

Nov. 2 Pam Elliot

Nov. 9 Janet Kelley

Nov. 16 Sue Kreibich

Nov. 23 Heather Wilson

COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE

Nov. 2 Diaconate Committee

Nov. 9 Cope & Drasler Families

Nov. 16 Kari & Lois Carpenter

Nov. 23 Stengel Family & Dave & Joy

McLaughlin

Nov. 30 Kneip & Carris Family

TEACHER SCHEDULE

Nov. 2 Janet Kelley & Alice

Woertendyke

Nov. 9 Liz Albandia & Steph Barham

Nov. 16 Janet Kelly & Sharon Stengel

Nov. 23 Janet Kelly & Wynn Ann

Roggeveen

Nov. 30 Pam Elliott & Steph Barham

11 News from the Office

Treasurer’s Report as of September 30, 2014

Total Operating Fund Income

for month of September $16,890.83

YTD $183,884.90

Total Operating Expenses

for month of September $21,232.85

YTD $188,089.66

Mortgage Balance $152,977.69

If you would like a copy of the entire monthly

Treasurer’s Report, please contact the Church Office.

To the ladies of Yarn Works,

Thank you so much for he beautiful Shawls. It was so thoughtful of you to think of us. They will keep us warm in the long Illinois winters. You could not ask for a better friend than Kay (Boyer). She is a wonderful friend and person. Thank you again, Dawn Brandes

I want to thank you for the beautiful shawl. I know I will enjoy it in the cold weather. Thank you again, Dee Burnett

Ladies, Thank you all so very much for having mom with you all & caring enough to find a bible for her. She loves you all very much. Thanks, Tina (Anna’s daughter)

To all of you,

Thank you so much for all the cards and phone calls since I’ve been ill. You don’t know how they lifted my spirits. I belong to the most wonderful church family there is. You are all so compassionate and caring. And thanks to Barb Hess for the beautiful prayer shawl she brought to me, no. 282, and all the lovely ladies who make them.

My most sincerest thanks, Marge Hanley God Bless

Notes from the office… November 9th is Celebration Sunday, which is the

day we return pledge cards!

Annual Reports are due to the office by

November 23rd.

Please let me know about any room use by filling out a facility

use form, email , or phone!

Poinsettia order forms can be found on the Welcome desk beginning November 1st, orders will be taken until

December 8th.

Disclaimer: It is our policy to display photos of our events on Social media of events and fellowship activities of our members and not to include personal names. f any member/friend of the church does not wish for their image to be used in our media publications, it is their right to request that their image is removed or not used. A file will be maintained in the church office to keep all posters on behalf of CCA informed of those who wish to

decline participation in Social Media.

Demonstrate your thankfulness this season

Each holiday season, CCA anticipates and relies

on a seasonal increase in contributions. It is

through the donations of every individual and

family in the congregation that we are able to

carry on our work now and throughout the year.

If you need a convenient way to make recurring

contributions or plan to make an additional gift

before the end of the year, we encourage you to

check out our electronic giving option. As the

pace of life speeds up around the holidays, you

may find electronic giving a most welcome way to

make contributions.

To set up a recurring giving schedule, please

complete a paper authorization form and return it

to the church office.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

12 About UCC

The Congregational Church of Algonquin is a congregation affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It is one of the oldest churches in McHenry County. Members have been worshiping in its current sanctuary since 1868.

The church is located a block east of Main Street (Route 31) and a block south of Algonquin Road (Route 62) in downtown Algonquin.

The United Church of

Christ is a denomination

with over 1.4 million

members in nearly 6,000

congregations. The UCC

was founded in

1957 by uniting several different Christian traditions. From the beginning we were a church that affirmed the ideal that Christians did not always have to agree to live together in communion. Our motto -"that they may all be one" - is Jesus' prayer for the unity of the church. The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian churches in the U.S.

Affirming that Jesus

Christ is the Head of the

Church, the UCC claims

as its own the faith of

the historic church

expressed in the ancient

creeds and reclaimed in

the basic insights of

Protestant reformers. Yet the UCC also affirms the responsibility of each generation and community to make faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world.

For more information about the United Church of Christ, go to www.ucc.org.

The Congregational Church of Algonquin A United Church of Christ 109 Washington Street Algonquin, Illinois 60102

Phone 847.658.5308

Website: www.algonquinucc.org

Email algonquinucc@gmail.com

Senior Pastor Rev. Brian Cope

Pastoral Counseling Rev. Dr. Arn Schaper

Administrative Assistant Wanda Siverio

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ALGONQUIN A UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 109 WASHINGTON STREET ALGONQUIN, ILLINOIS 60102