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December 2015
Advent is a sacred time of the year that the church sets apart for expectant waiting, like the time when Mary’s womb was growing and kicking and vulnerable with an unborn savior. At the time of Mary’s expectation, God was here, waiting to be revealed by a significant new birth. Advent is also a pregnant time, as we can sense promising evidence of God’s presence here and now, and expectantly await the arrival of God’s reign on earth, when justice and peace and wholeness come for everyone, everywhere.
With all the painful storylines through which our world, nation, and city are walking through, waiting these days is anguishing. We wait for peace amid war and rampant gun violence, for justice amid global systems of unfairness, and for reconciliation amid racism, xenophobia, religionism and hyper-partisanship. The peace, justice, and reconciliation we await seem awfully far away. And the meantime is full of heartache.
Waiting for just about everything we want is difficult. It’s tough to wait for a red light to turn green, or for the checkout line to shrink, for kids to come home from college, or for the test scores to come back. Waiting is especially difficult when there is so much at stake in the unfulfillment, as is the case with the violence, oppression, and hatred.
But when we talk about waiting for God’s fulfillment in Advent, though, we are talking about something a little different and more than mere waiting. Most things we wait for are not yet present, and we wait for their arrival or change. But in Advent, we wait for God’s fullness revealed, which is also already here. Advent time is a present already embodying a future. Our faith calls us to see that God is already here, born into the world to grow up and show the way. It has us imagine the future by seeing the pregnant present with fresh eyes, full of hope and promise and opportunity.
That can seem difficult when we see so much wrong around us and around the world. But if we slow down, and wait as we are joined to the generous and transforming work of Christ in the world (which the season of giving can draw us even nearer to), we just might begin to see why hope in the work of God is well founded. As demonstration of the strange concept of Advent time, in which God’s birth is both already and not yet, consider taking part in the many rich activities our church is embarking on this season, and tell me if you don’t see it for yourself.
As we serve meals, tutor children, listen to sacred music with the community, carol to seniors, celebrate Christmas morning with breakfast outside of our suburban boundaries, we will together see the ways that God is already present and at work in difference-making ways. And to see it just might energize us to do more, and advocate for even more of the change we begin to see.
It’s Advent. It’s waiting that moves. The moving is God’s coming to meet us where we are and showing us the rest of the way. And goodness gracious, it’s the moving the world and we so desperately need.
Peace, David
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SUNDAY WORSHIP 9:45AM
Celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent with
music, dance, and Holy Communion
ST. NICHOLAS’ VISIT DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL
St. Nicholas leaves gifts in the shoes the
children leave outside their Sunday School class
doors.
Rumor has it that St. Nicholas might show up in
person during the festival!
POTLUCK LUNCH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP
If you are able to provide a potluck dish for
lunch, please contact Tracy Colitte at
847.501.4713 or
CRAFTS FOR ALL AGES
ALTERNATIVE GIFT SALE PARTNERS FOR JUST TRADE
Shop for great gifts while supporting artisans
around the world through fair trade practices
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AND BAKE
SALE WOMEN OF WPC
A festival first! Creative holiday items for sale,
along with a delicious bake sale.
If you wish to bake something, contact Lynn
Frid ([email protected]) or Rebeca
Massey ([email protected])
ADVENT FESTIVAL AND BAZAAR
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, FOLLOWING WORSHIP
Bring the whole family for food, crafts, and
festivities.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 @ 4PM
Music to celebrate the three kings and the King
of Kings
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 @ 5:15PM
Help spread Christmas cheer
as we go caroling at some area nursing homes
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 @ 4 AND 9PM
Stop by your church home for some beautiful
Christmas Eve worship to kick-off your family’s
Christmas celebrations
CHRISTMAS MORNING
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 @ 8AM, GOOD
NEWS PARTNERS
Join the residents of the Jonquil Hotel,
1600 W Jonquil Terrance, Chicago,
for Christmas breakfast.
Meet at the church at 7:30am to carpool
or join us at the Jonquil Hotel at 8am
Click to sign-up here
CHILDREN’S EPIPHANY PAGEANT
SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 @ 9:45AM
Celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings to Jesus’
home with the annual Epiphany Pageant
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Advent Festival Sunday, December 6, following worship
Kick off the Advent season in style at this year’s Advent Festival. This is a family-friendly and intergenerational event for everyone. In addition to great food, the children (and adults) will have the opportunity to make Christmas ornaments for your tree at home, as well as the tree here at the church. And word has it that St. Nicholas himself might be stopping by this year! If you are able to provide some food for the festival please contact Tracy Colitte at [email protected] or 847-501-4713.
Bakers Needed
In addition to the Advent Festival on December 6, we will also be having a bazaar, featuring delicious homemade baked goods...and we are looking for a few good bakers to contribute their culinary talents. If you are interested, please contact Lynne Frid ([email protected] or 847-441-8761) or Rebeca Massey ([email protected] or 847-441-5028).
Christmas Caroling Thursday, December 17 @ 5:15pm
Each year we go caroling to visit a few of our members who cannot make it to church any longer. We gather here at the church and then make our way out into the night singing carols! Bring the whole family...the people love to see the faces of all the children who join us. Unlike previous years, we will NOT gather back at the church for dinner and tree decorating.
Christmas Tree Decorating Sunday, December 20, following worship
We’re trying something different this year. Following worship on the final Sunday of Advent, all the Christmas tree decorations will be out and ready to go on our huge Christmas tree in the atrium. Grab a cup of coffee, some cookies and throw an ornament or two on the tree...or just sit and visit while the children do all the work!
Annual Christmas Concert Sunday, December 13 @ 4pm
Don’t miss this annual WPC tradition...all our musical forces come together for a beautiful evening of Christmas music. This year’s concert, “Gifts of the Magi,” celebrates the gifts of the three kings and the King of Kings who received their offerings. Childcare will be provided.
Christmas Centerpieces
We need 15 families to bring a set of 3 different sizes of unopened canned food to make snowman centerpieces for Just Harvest.
Please click on the images below for examples of the centerpieces. We will be making them at the Advent Festival on 12/6 but please drop off your canned food in the office before 12/6 or in the CLC the morning of 12/6. You can sign-up by clicking here.
December 2015 Advent and Christmas
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Children’s Ministries December 2015
Epiphany Pageant Sunday, January 3 @ 9:45am Rehearsal, January 2, 9am
Once again, the children of WPC will be performing a rendition of the Christmas Story on Epiphany Sunday. There will be one rehearsal on Saturday, January 2. Please contact Jill Vint at 847.840.4065 or [email protected] with any questions.
We Need Some Costumes
Do you have a talent for sewing? Are you great at making costumes? Is your glue gun begging to be put to use? Then we could use your help! We would love to have some new costumes made for the Epiphany pageant, particularly for the stable animals. All supplies will be provided – we just need your talent! Please contact Jill Vint at [email protected] or 847.840.4065 if you are able to help.
Spooky Organ Concert
We had a wonderful time at our annual Spooky Organ Concert on November 1. Organist Matt Haider returned to WPC for another spooky organ concert...even convincing our own music director to perform an organ duet of “Stars and Stripes Forever!” After a vigorous chicken-dance workout, everyone who was in costume paraded around the church so the judges could get a good look at all the creative outfits. Prizes were awarded to Lochlan Vint (best child’s costume), Amanda Lower (best adult costume), and Cynthia Rapp, Cordelia, Beatrix, and Stuart Sullivan (best family costume). After meeting the expenses of the concert, we were able to give $120 to Family Promise. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Song and Dance for Kids
The children who participated in “Song and Dance” this autumn presented their song in worship on November 1. After learning about Psalm 150, they created movement and rhythm that was incorporated into the song “Bless the Lord, My Soul.”
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December 2015 Youth Ministries
Save the Date
December 4 Jr. & Sr. High Pinstripes
January 18 Jr. High Serve Soup Kitchen
January 22-24 Sr. High Ski Trip
April 16 Jr. & Sr. High Whirly Ball
May 14 White Sox Game w/ Michael Huff
May 22 Graduate Recognition Sunday
June 5 All-Church Softball Game
June 11 Jr. & Sr. Six Flags
July 29 Cuba Mission Trip
Spaghetti Dinner Huge Success!
The spaghetti dinner was a great success! We would like to thank Mike and Tracy Colitte for all their hard work. We would also like to thank the parents and 18 kids who volunteered! We are thrilled that the event raised over $800 for the summer mission trip!
Friday, December 4th @ 6pm, Pinstripes, Northbrook
Jr. & Sr. High to Pinstripes Bowling! We will have a combined outing to Pinstripes. This will be a great time to get both groups together and have fun.
Youth Summer Mission Trip
Havana, Cuba July 29, 2016
We’re excited by the prospect of next year’s youth mission trip to Cuba.
It looks to be yet another meaningful opportunity to be with our Christian family and friends at the First Presbyterian Church of Havana, exploring and exchanging, deepening our faith through fellowship. It will be a rich experience.
For details regarding this trip click here to go to our website youth page where you can download your forms.
Jr. High Sr. High
2014 Trip! Don’t Miss Our 2016 Trip! Sign Up Today!
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November Moments December 2015
Pastor Appreciation Sunday
Pastor David was speechless (which doesn’t happen very often) when he was surprised by the congregation as they honored his service to WPC with a scrapbook from the children, a tribute from Alex Martin and the youth, along with a t-shirt and bumper sticker, a membership to the Art Institute from Session, and a lovely reception in the Atrium. We would especially like to thank Martha Bermingham, Ro and Steve Miller, Lynne Frid, Rebeca Massey, and Eric Walker for arranging such a wonderful day.
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December 2015 Events/Volunteering
Annual Dinner for 80
The annual Dinner for 80 church extravaganza will be on Saturday February 6th this year. Sign-up sheets will be up in Jan. All adults at WPC are encouraged to join in this potluck dinner. It’s a great way to mix, mingle and get to know a few more members of our church family. So please do plan to join us.
Deliver Flowers to the Homebound
Volunteers Needed!
This season of Advent, the Board of Deacons is seeking
volunteers from the congregation to help deliver a
flower arrangement to a designated WPC family or
friend. The arrangement will be crafted from flowers
that were in the WPC sanctuary during our Sunday
service. Please contact Bill McNair at
[email protected] with questions or to
volunteer. You can also sign up via the “Deliver
Flowers to the Homebound” link in the church’s
weekly email newsletter. Thank you!
Good News Partners
After School Program
Please help serve James Crockett’s Boy’s After School Program (C24/7) by helping with a meal for the 15 or so boys getting valuable programming, bible study, and mentoring at an impressionable age of their lives. I'm thrilled that James is building upon this program for the current academic year! The program will again meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, excepting days that CPS schools are out. Please sign up here to provide a meal.
In the coming weeks we will highlight Samaritan Counseling Center, an organization that provides counseling services that can help with life challenges, including depression, family conflict, stress and anxiety, parenting issues, child and adolescent development, premarital counseling and emotional and spiritual growth.
Mission Statement
To offer hope, healing and restoration to wholeness in a confidential manner that is professional, ethical, caring and accessible to all. We can provide, for those who so desire, a unique integration of psychotherapy and spirituality in our counseling, education and consulting services.
At Samaritan Counseling Center, we offer a safe place for discovery, healing and growth. We believe psychology and spirituality – together – provide a foundation for mental health and personal growth.
For more information you can go to their website by clicking here.
Excerpt from the Fall 2015 newsletter
Key steps in raising confident, happy young adult. To read the Fall newsletter click here.
Reinforce that they have the power—to make their own decisions.
Set reasonable and achievable limits—and enforce them.
Teach important skills without lecturing—make your point and move on.
Allow your kids to fail—then discuss what to do differently.
Don’t just talk the talk– walk the walk by setting the right example.
Value the importance of your connection—gain their trust with taking a side.
Establish dependable time together—meet your teen in their world.
Karen Starr, MS, LCPC
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1
10am Staff Meeting 7pm Stephen Ministry 7:30pm AA Meeting
2 10:00am Bible Study with David 7pm Corkscrew Cronies
3 9:30am LifeTalk at Café Aroma 6pm Youth Bible Study with David
4 6pm Jr. & Sr. High Outing to Pinstripes 8pm AA Meeting
5 8am Men’s Group 9am Yoga Sanctuary
6 8:45am Choir 9:45am Worship & Sunday School 11pm Advent Festival
7 12:00pm Men’s of Church, Wilmette Golf Club
8 10am Staff Meeting 11:30pm Senior Club 7:30pm AA Meeting
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10:00am Bible Study with David 7:00pm Joint Deacon & Session Meeting
10 9:30am LifeTalk at Café Aroma 6pm Youth Bible Study with David 7:30pm Choir Rehearsal
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8pm AA Meeting
12 8am Men’s Group 9am Yoga Sanctuary
13
8:45am Choir 9:45am Worship & Sunday School 4pm Jr. High Youth 4pm Christmas Concert
14
15 10am Staff Meeting 7pm Stephen Ministry 7pm Faith, Hope, Recovery, Kenilworth 7:30pm AA Meeting
16
10:00am Bible Study with David
17 9:30am LifeTalk at Café Aroma 5:15pm Christmas Caroling
18 8pm AA Meeting
19 8am Men’s Group 9am Yoga Sanctuary
20
8:45am Choir 9:45am Worship & Sunday School
21 4:30pm A Just Harvest Soup Kitchen, East Rogers Park
22 10am Staff Meeting 7:30pm AA Meeting
23 10:00am Bible Study with David
24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 4pm Family 9pm Evening
25 Christmas Day Office Closed 7:30am Jonquil Hotel
26 8am Men’s Group
27
8:45am Choir 9:45am Worship & Sunday School
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29 7:30pm AA Meeting
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31 9:30am LifeTalk at Café Aroma
January 1 New Year’s Day Offices Closed
2 8am Men’s Group
December 2015
www.winnpres.org facebook.com/WinnetkaPres
twitter.com/WinnetkaPres [email protected]
847-446-7777
ext ext
Rev. David Lower Senior Pastor
Geoff Duffy Director of Music, Associate Director of Worship
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Rev. Ashley-Anne Masters
Temporary Worship
Supply Pastor
Rev. Diann Santschi Parish Associate of Pastoral Care and Counseling
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Rev. Kathy Dale McNair Specialized Minister
Mental Health Ministry
Michael Jin Accountant
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Dina Price
Administrator
Chris Kenneally Custodian
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1255 Willow Road Winnetka, IL 60093
847.446.7777
Office Hours Monday - Thursday: 9am - 5pm Friday: 9am - 1pm
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