Sharing Joys & Concerns Please keep these persons & events in your prayers: Thanks to all of HOPE for their

continued prayers and support. I love my job!! (Gail Bassett)

A great, successful, productive & safe school year for all teachers, children & families who are returning to school. (Tanisha)

Bea – New business to start prospering and the end of finacial woes. (Bea Polverini)

That the courts rule in favor of the GLB to GLO conversion. (Lisa, LaRissa & Gavin)

Safe travels. I leave tomorrow morning for Texas for a week-long conference. Please pray that Lisa & Gavin survive the week together. (LaRissa)

Thank you for all prayers & good thoughts for me as I went through the process of opening my daycare. I’ve been open for 21 days & growing enrollment each week. (Tanisha)

For the friends we are yet to meet, that they would find their way here and be loved by us. (Cindi Knox)

Aunt Mo – The chemotherapy on her has proven successful; her tests are all positive & she is being discharged on her birthday! Thank you HOPE for your prayers! (The Conkrites)

Jazmine who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge & for our new 3-month old Phoebe, who has chosen us for her forever family. (Terry & Michael)

The Hoffmans as they struggle with another setback for Ron. (Barb & Bill Zigterman)

Marlene Knapp into third week of radiation & chemo. She will be put on to feeding tube next week. (Linda James, sister)

My friend, Jim, who struggles with many things in his life. (Zach Jarabeck)

A friend struggling with addictions. A dear friend dealing with declining

health. Blessings for HOPE Daughter, Jordan, has some medical

difficulties. Hoping to find answers as God directs us in this journey. (Annette Bush)

Lisa – has been out of work for some time. HShe has an interview this week. (Mark Geiger)

☺ The joy of family reunions. Fun activities and fun of gathering. (Zigterman family)

☺ The joy of new beginnings – new space, new friends and the HOPE of HOPE.

There is one image stuck in my mind from this past weekend’s Grand Opening celebration at HOPE United Church of Christ. If you weren’t witness to it, I may have difficulty actually defining it in such a way that takes you to that experience. However, I’ll give it a shot.

As soon as worship ended (and what a phenomenal worship event it was!) the entire congregation joined together in transforming our Sanctuary into a Fellowship Hall.

Chairs were being moved Tables were being arranged Table cloths, drinks and utensils were in place

Ok, so putting it that way doesn’t really sound that amazing or exciting. And I’m sure you’re saying, “ok, Pastor Timoth…so what?”

It wasn’t the arranging of the room that I found to be so amazing…it was the interaction between the HOPE UCC Partners and Friends as the work was being done. Now, this next analogy is not meant to turn anyone off…but I think you’ll get the idea.

It was as if the work being done was that of a colony of ants; each one taking on a task and seeing it through to completion. If you know anything about ants, they take their work very seriously. But here’s something you may not know about our tiny, ground-dwelling insect friends.

Each time ants pass one another in the course of their work; they reach out and touch each other as they pass. It has been said that this touch is seen as a “kiss of encouragement,” one ant encouraging the other in their work. There is a deep sense of connection within the ant community.

That same connection was happening at HOPE UCC on Sunday afternoon. As individuals grabbed chairs and tables there was an overall sense of teamwork and connection that was experienced by all. There were words of encouragement being shared. People shared in responsibilities and in a matter of a few minutes the entire space was transformed.

For me, as a part of that transformation, it was a true experience of community. Heck, we even enlisted some of our first-time visitors to share in the work. It was an amazing sight to see.

So on that note…I want to thank everyone who was a part of our Grand Opening Weekend. Thank you for sharing in the work. Thank you for encouraging one another. And thank you for continuing to make HOPE United Church of Christ a place of extravagant welcome.

Pastor Timoth

Sunday, August 28

“How Many Burning Bushes Do You Need?”

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c Exodus 3:1-15

Reverend Timoth Sylvia

08/24/11

Celebrating Birthdays

08/25 Jill McNamara 08/26 Leo Ley 08/26 Pat Armstrong 08/27 Kailey Streul 08/30 Barb Zigterman

If we’ve missed your birthday, please email Gail at HOPE@shareHOPE.org. We’ll add you to the list.

Celebrating Anniversaries

08/23/1983 Keith Cornell & Mark Duebner

08/25/2001 Dave & Dee Zillmer 08/30/1986 Rob & Mary Dvorak

We would love to celebrate your anniversaries, too! Please email Gail at HOPE@shareHOPE.org with your anniversary dates.

Deadline for additions or corrections to the next issue

of HOPE Happenings is August 30, 3:00pm.

Thanks!

Announcements for the Sunday Bulletin due by

Wednesday of each week.

HOPE’S Leadership

Pastor: Rev. Timoth Sylvia Moderator: Marie Higgins Des. Moderator: Joe Newton Treasurer: Dave Zillmer Secretary: LaRissa O’Neal Registrar: Mary Dycus Social: Shannon Lane Education: Cheryl Rhodes Outreach: Mark Duebner Mission: Ginny Bateman Pastor-Parish: Matt Tucker Resource: Linda James Worship: Keith Cornell HOPE LIBRARY You may reserve items (books, videos or tapes) by calling Gail (630-922-0470) at HOPE UCC during office hours (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); by checking them out at HOPE UCC any time it is open; or by calling Martha Selby, HOPE Librarian, at (630) 355-3709.

Quest Quote of the Month Humility… is actually spiritual self-confidence: confidence that you can celebrate and delight in the gifts of others while at the same time claiming your own.

--Kent Ira Groff

QUEST MINISTRIES ~ ADULT QUEST Facilitated by Cindi Knox. Meets in Room 2.

SR. HIGH QUEST Will resume on September 11.

JR. HIGH QUEST Will resume on September 11.

KIDS QUEST Will resume on September 11.

Hope UCC The Learning Extravaganza Begins!

Quest Begins!

Learning fun for all ages September 11, 9:00 a.m.

Confirmation Begins! Exciting New Learning

September 18, 5-6 p.m. 1st & 3rd Sundays

Field Trips once a month!

Youth Group Begins! September 18, 6:00 p.m.

1st & 3rd Sundays Combined Jr. & Sr. High 2nd & 4th Sundays Sr. High

Meal included! (Meals provided by families)

HOPE United Church of Christ 1701 Quincy Avenue, Suite 27 Naperville, IL 60540-6684

Pastor Timoth Cell – 630-853-4673 Pastor Timoth Email – Pastor@sharehope.org

Office Phone – 630-92200470 Office Fax – 630-922-0475 Office Email – hope@sharehope.org

UPCOMING EVENTS @ HOPE UCC August 25, Thursday

Taking the Bible Seriously, But Not Literally - Parables All meetings will gather from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room #2 at HOPE UCC. We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars with the following dates: August 25 & September 1 August 27, Tuesday

Safe Church Training (10 a.m. to Noon) HOPE United Church of Christ will host a Safe Church Training seminar for all of those who will be volunteering within our education ministry for the upcoming year. In addition, this event is being advertised throughout the Illinois Conference, inviting others to participate in this vital training. More info to follow.

August 30, Tuesday

The Night Ministries Hope UCC will be partnering with this amazing ministry, providing dinner and sack lunches to 200 guests. Please read the article below to see how you can help!

September 1, Thursday

Taking the Bible Seriously, But Not Literally - Parables Meeting will gather in Room #2 at HOPE UCC from 7 to 9 p.m. Hope to see you!

September 5, Monday

Naperville Labor Day Parade – HOPE is participating. Please read article below.

September 9 & 10

Harmony, Heart & HOPE Pick up your ticket order form at HOPE UCC or download from www.sharehope.org. Invite all your friends and family, too!

September 11, Sunday

HOPE UCC Annual Picnic Bring your family and friends and join us on Sunday, September 11th for the Hope UCC Picnic. We will be meeting at Herrick Lake at 12:00 noon at the West picnic shelter that is located off of Herrick Road (maps and directions will be provided). Hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, tableware, water and Kool-Aid will be provided. Bring a dish to share. Come for a wonderful afternoon of good food and fun!

September 13, Tuesday

All Ministries Meeting (7 p.m.)

September 15, Thursday

Women Out to Lunch (Noon) Join the women of HOPE. Lively conversation, great food & warm fellowship are waiting for you at Giordano’s Restaurant at 119 South Main Street, in downtown Naperville. Parking is available in the lot across from the restaurant or in the Van Buren Parking Building.

October 30, Sunday

Jesus Has Left the Building & We’re Following Him ®

NEWS AND NOTES

Naperville's Last Fling Labor Day Parade To build on the momentum of our successful Grand Opening Weekend, HOPE UCC will be marching in the Naperville Last Fling Labor Day Parade on Monday, September 5th! We need EVERYONE to participate to show the diversity and extravagant welcome that is our church. We will be WALKING the entire route with our banner. There will be no vehicle. We will be passing out (no throwing!) our cards along the parade route.

We are #70 out of 100 participants. We need to line up in the parking lot of Naperville North High School (the BLUE staging area) at 9:30 am. There are four staging areas. The parade kicks off at 10 am and should be done at 11:30 am. The parade will end at Naperville Central High School. I will have more specific details closer to the event.

I am asking everyone to wear their RED HOPE UCC t-shirts. What? You don't own a red HOPE UCC t-shirt? Or you need to order a new one? WELL, YOU ARE IN LUCK! I am putting in an order this week so we will have them in time for the parade. The only size that is currently in stock is Youth Large. Shirts are $10 each and will be solid red (no black arm and neck trim) with the HOPE logo on the front and the "God is Still Speaking" phrase on the back.

PLEASE EMAIL ME mgdchat@aol.com WITH YOUR SHIRT ORDER BY END OF DAY THURSDAY (AUGUST 25). They are available in Adult S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL, 4XL and Youth S and M (again, we have many youth L).

And also email me if you will be participating in the parade.

Again, it is extremely important that we have a very large turnout for the parade. Strollers are fine and friendly dogs on leashes are allowed. Just imagine how many people we can connect with during this event!

Thanks! Mark Duebner, Chair, Outreach Ministry

Taking The Bible Seriously, But Not Literally ~ The Parables Several of those who have participated in the previous Taking the Bible Seriously, But Not Literally series have asked for an opportunity to explore some of the parables. Know that you have been heard. Beginning in August, we will devote Thursday evenings to a time of conversation on the various parables of Jesus.

All meetings will gather from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in room #2 at HOPE UCC. We hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars with the following dates: August 25 & September 1

New Partner Class Have you been a part of HOPE United Church of Christ for a while but haven’t yet made the step to become a HOPE UCC Partner? Well, now is your chance. A New Partner class is now forming. This is an opportunity to learn about the history of HOPE United Church of Christ, our denomination and to have conversation around what it means to be a Partner as compared to a member. If you are interested in being a part of this offering, contact Pastor Timoth at 630-922-0470 or via email at pastor@sharehope.org. A Thank-You from NCO Youth and Family Services On Sunday, July 31, Hope United Church of Christ brought out 20 members to our Cornerstone Group Home to do yard work. They call this their “Jesus has left the building and we’re following him” program and you can find Hope UCC at sharehope.org. They did an amazing job of cleaning up some unkempt areas and some general sprucing up. Thank you to Val Moreno-Tucker for coordinating and to Les Pierce for leading the project. Your work is greatly appreciated.

Save the Date – September 24 The Fox Valley Association will be holding its Fall Meeting on Saturday September 24 at the New England Congregational United Church of Christ in Aurora. More details and registration information will be available soon. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this event with other UCC churches in our Association.

Two Worship Services Beginning on Sunday September 18, HOPE United Church of Christ will be offering two worship services on Sunday mornings. The first service will be at 8 a.m. and will be very similar to the 10:10 service. The Worship Ministry brings us this option as a way to accommodate our growing congregation. It is our hope that you will experience both of the worship services from time to time based on your personal schedules. Come to church early, stay for Quest and then have an early start to the day. Or, sleep in a bit, come for Quest and stay for worship. Either way, it will be a great experience of worship together as HOPE United Church of Christ. For questions in regard to the new service or if you would like to volunteer for some of the additional opportunities to be a part of the Sunday morning experience, please contact Keith Cornell (Worship Ministry Chair).

We Need Your Thoughts – Ideas – Feedback The Ministry Council continues to look at the ways in which we communicate information within our church community. One of the ways we do this is with Sunday morning announcements. With the addition of a second service on Sunday mornings only weeks away, we are working to determine the best way to share information at those services. So, we are asking for your thoughts. How do you receive the majority of the information in regard to what is happening in the life of HOPE UCC? Is it in the HOPE Happenings? Is it in the printed announcements sheet found in the Sunday bulletin? Is it the verbal announcements that are shared before worship? Please let us know. Your thoughts can be sent to Pastor Timoth via email at pastor@sharehope.org. Thank you in advance for helping with this process.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! So much work went into planning, organizing, volunteering and clean up over the course of our three-day Grand Opening weekend. A huge thank-you goes out to everyone who took part in that event. It was a huge success, due largely to your commitment and participation. Thank you!

7th Annual DuPage PADS Run/Walk to End Homelessness September 10 ▪ 8:00a.m. ▪ 703 W Liberty, Wheaton

DuPage PADS is a nonprofit organization working to end homelessness in DuPage County and we are hosting a 5K Run/Walk through Wheaton. The Run/Walk supports programs that provide housing, job training and other critical services to assist men, women and children who are homeless. This CARA-approved course is perfect for serious runners, casual joggers and families. Stay for music, refreshments & prizes after the race. Pre-registered participants receive an official DuPage PADS Run/Walk T-shirt (runners receive a “Dri-Fit” shirt, walkers receive a cotton shirt) and goody bag. In addition, we'll have a free drawing for door prizes. For more information visit www.padsrun.org or call 630.682.3846 x252.

Cleaning Teams

Sure, it’s not a glamorous job, but it’s a necessary one. HOPE UCC needs volunteers to clean the church (sanctuary, bathrooms, classrooms and offices). By having volunteers do the cleaning (i.e. dusting, vacuuming, mopping, etc.) we will be able to save the church a substantial amount of money.

You may volunteer as an individual or as a team (with two or three people working, the job will go much more quickly). To sign up, simply call the HOPE office at 630-922-0470.

We ask that the cleaning take place on either a Friday or a Saturday in order to have the church fresh and clean for our Sunday morning gatherings. A weekly schedule will be created based on the number of volunteers. If you are designated to clean on a particular week that does not work with your schedule, we simply ask that you contact another team to cover the responsibilities for that week.

The quarterly cleaning will be scheduled for a Saturday and the entire congregation will be invited to assist.

Greeters Group Greet.er (Noun) – Someone whose job is to welcome people when they arrive somewhere, especially at church.

I am starting a group of greeters. I have heard from many people who have said they will help. It would be ideal to have enough people so that each person would only greet one day a month. Greeters will be needed at 8 a.m. and/or 10:10 a.m. Please let me know your preference.

Thanks, Mary Dycus, Registrar Successful Manna Gift Card Fundraising Since January 1, we have raised $1,790.54 through the Manna Gift Card fundraiser. If you haven’t tried this yet, or if you have questions, please ask Pastor Timoth or Mark Duebner to get full details. It is truly the easiest way for our church to make money without asking anyone to give more than they are currently. Let’s see how many people we can get involved and set our goals high. With a program this easy, we will accomplish whatever we set out to do.

Do you do your grocery shopping at Dominick’s? Jewel? Caputo's? Then buy a gift card before you go shopping. Buy gas at BP? Speedway? Arco? Exxon? Shell? Take advantage of the fundraiser and help with the church finances for 2011. And of course they are also the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and other celebrations. It takes a little planning but it is a great way to save time and gas on gift shopping and help HOPE! Turn your order in on Sunday at Worship and you will get the cards the following Sunday.

The Night Ministry

thenightministry.org

The Night Ministries is a not-for-profit organization that connects with Chicago's vulnerable youth and adults, providing basic supplies, self-care supplies, free healthcare, housing and supportive services for youth, referrals to other resources, and more.

Once again, Hope UCC will be partnering with this amazing ministry, providing dinner and a sack lunches to 200 guests on Tuesday, August 30.

Here’s how you can help:

1. – If you are able to volunteer that evening to serve the meal, contact Ginny Bateman at ginbateman@gmail.com or 630-774-3851. We will meet at a common location (yet to be determined) at 4:30, carpool and depart at 5pm. Dinner is served at 7pm, and we'll head home around 8:30pm. Approximately 8 volunteers will be needed for the serving of the meal.

2. – You can help in making the sack lunches. You, your family, or friends can make 25 sack lunches, to be ready to go by 4 pm on Aug. 30. Because of the special dietary needs of our guests, a specific list of what to include will be provided.

3. – You can make a part of the meal to be served. You'll be provided with a dinner menu item to be available by 4 pm on Aug. 30.

4 – You can also help as a part of a cleaning crew, after the preparation of the meal (3:30-5:00)

Together we can make a difference in the lives of many who are in need.

Reminder, to volunteer for any of these opportunities, contact Ginny Bateman at ginbateman@gmail.com or 630-774-3851.

PEACE AND JUSTICE Who is There to Lead Us?

Micah 6:6-8, The Message (MSG)

6-7How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin? 8But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.

As the battle between different ideologies was fought in congress over the past several months and especially over the last month, I wondered what would God want us to do.

For me, God is not the cause of people living in poverty, but God is in my response. What message has Micah given me? What have I, as a Christian who has pledged that I will love my neighbor, done to defend those who are less fortunate?

What have I learned from the lessons of Jesus?

First and foremost that God must not be segregated. That God cannot be confined to the right side of the tracks. God is without borders. God is global. God who created the world and all of us embracing every race, religion creed, sexual orientation and national expression.

God is colorblind. Godliness transcends dogma, doctrines and catechism. God is the life and the love of the world and I believe that we are the allies of Godliness. We are the hands, legs, feet, eyes and spine of Godliness. We are God’s organs.

Through our eyes, we have seen the homeless, the abandoned, the oppressed, the unwelcomed.

Through our ears we have heard the cries of children’s fear and of abandonment.

Through our hands we are mandated to lift up the fallen.

Voices that are commanded to be raised in a sacred scream that will penetrate the steel walls of institutional apathy.

Legs that can march before local, state, and federal representatives of the people.

Spines that must not bow to the killers of dreams.

We gathered at HOPE last Sunday remembering Jesus through the act of Holy Communion and therefore in my mind in recognition of the message of Jesus to Love God, Neighbor and Self. I believe that in communion we are called to action to defend the defenseless. We are challenged to be the hands, head, feet and voice of Jesus. Silence in the presence of cries of the marginalized is lethal. Apathy in the face of cruelty is equivalent to complicity in denying the humanity of an oppressed class.

The world must not be abandoned. Humanity is the language of God.

Let our voices be heard in the corridors of power.

Let us disturb the sleep of indifference. Together we can shake the paralysis of governmental will and wake the dormant conscience of a listless world.

Today, with the debt ceiling crisis barely behind us, we urgently need to protect the marginalized in the round of cuts coming in the weeks and months ahead. As individuals, it is impossible to know all of the aspects of the budget cuts, but as a sharing community, we can inform each other of where action is needed.

The theme of justice is central to the Bible. It courses throughout the Old and New Testaments. Said the prophet Amos: “Let justice roll down like waters; and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:23–24). From Jesus: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. You…have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.” (Matt. 23: 23).

In the words of Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners Magazine, “We are the leaders we have been waiting for.”

BETTER WORLD School and Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting (SCARCE) & Cantigny Green Fair

Saturday, September 24 10:00am - 4:00pm

SCARCE is gearing up for our 3rd annual Green Fair! Don't miss out on this opportunity to catch up on what's green and working locally. Directions to Cantigny can be found at: http://www.cantigny.org/visit/information/directions.aspx Featuring:

"FashionEcoNista" show

Vendors from eco-retail

Conservation organizations

Green farms

Eco-activities for kids

Local and organic farmer's market

Cooking demos

Live music featuring Jack Kaufmann

Breathe Easy Man, the Clean Air Superhero for Illinois

Much more!