AllSaints’Day Some Christians squirm at the thought of All Saints’ Day. Others are grateful for such a day. So what’s the big deal? What is All Saints’ Day? And why do Lutherans celebrate this festival?

The word saint literally means “holy one” and is used frequently throughout Holy Scripture. Sometimes it refers to God’s people on earth (the Church Militant). Other times it refers to God’s people in heaven (the Church Triumphant). The Apostles’ Creed combines both when it equates “the holy Christian Church” with “the communion of saints.”

Christians began to commemorate the lives and deaths of the apostles, martyrs, and confessors during the first few centuries. By the eighth century, November 1st was designated as a special festival for this very purpose. Luther retained the practice of commemorating the saints, but preached against the related abuses of praying to the saints, purchasing indulgences, offering masses for the dead, and the veneration of relics.

Since the time of the Reformation, Lutherans have continued to commemorate the lives of certain saints on their appointed days and to celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1st. Our Lutheran Confessions spell out why we do this:

Our confession approves giving honor to the saints. This honor is threefold. The first is thanksgiving: we should thank God for showing examples of his mercy revealing his will to save men, and giving teachers and other gifts to the church. Since these are his greatest gifts, we should extol them very highly; we should also praise the saints themselves for using these gifts, just as Christ praises faithful businessmen (Matt. 25:21, 23). The second honor is the strengthening of our faith: when we see Peter forgiven after his denial, we are encouraged to believe that grace does indeed abound more than sin (Rom. 5:20). The third honor is the imitation, first of their faith and then of their other virtues, which each should imitate in accordance with his calling. [Apology XXI 4-6]

Here at Divine Shepherd we celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1st (when it falls on a Sunday) or on the following Sunday (when November 1st doesn’t fall on a Sunday). This celebration includes comforting Scripture readings, joyous hymns, special prayers of thanksgiving, the naming of those congregational members who have fallen asleep in Christ since the previous All Saints’ Day, and a moment of silence in which you can thank God for your own loved ones who have died in the faith and now rest from their labors. What a joy it is to join our voices with theirs—with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven—in singing praises to the Triune God for all of His blessings in Christ.

All Saints’ Day, celebrated properly, is a meaningful and worthwhile Christian festival. So come and join us as we remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us in the one true faith. And let us, by God’s grace, follow their example of faith and a godly life until our Lord calls us to our heavenly home.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

PastorMumme

Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

NOVEMBER 2017 NEWSLETTER

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” [Saint John 10:27]

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Calendar

Week of Proper 25 (November 1-4)

Wed, Nov 1, 1:00 p.m. Pastor at SRPC Meeting Wed, Nov 1, 3:45 p.m. Youth Catechesis Wed, Nov 1, 7:00 p.m. Adult Catechesis Wed, Nov 1, 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice

Week of Proper 26 (November 5-11) Sun, Nov 5, 9:00 am Divine Service Sun, Nov 5, 10:30 am Bible Class & Sunday School Tue, Nov 7, 7:00 pm Elders Meeting Wed, Nov 8, 3:45 pm Youth Catechesis Wed, Nov 8, 7:00 pm Adult Catechesis Wed, Nov 8, 7:00 pm Choir Practice Thu, Nov 9, 7:00 pm Council Meeting Sat, Nov 11 Veterans Day

Week of Proper 27 (November 12-18) Sun, Nov 12, 9:00 am Divine Service Sun, Nov 12, 10:05 am Thrivent Meeting Sun, Nov 12, 10:30 am Bible Class & Sunday School Tue, Nov 14, 1:00 pm Women’s Bible Study Wed, Nov 15, 1:00 pm Pastor @ NICL Study Wed, Nov 15, 3:45 pm Youth Catechesis Wed, Nov 15, 7:00 pm Adult Catechesis Wed, Nov 15, 7:00 pm Choir Practice Sat, Nov 18, 8:30 am Men’s Bible Breakfast Sat, Nov 18, 10:00 am Altar Guild Meeting Sat, Nov 18, 11:00 am Ladies Aid Meeting

Week of Proper 28 (November 19-25) Sun, Nov 19, 9:00 am Divine Service Sun, Nov 19, 10:30 am Bible Class & Sunday School Sun, Nov 19, 5:00 pm Circuit Forum Tue, Nov 21, 7:00 pm Book of Concord Study Wed, Nov 22, 3:45 am Youth Catechesis Wed, Nov 22, 7:00 pm Thanksgiving Eve Vespers Wed, Nov 22, 8:00 pm Choir Practice Thu, Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day

Week of Proper 29 (November 26-30) Sun, Nov 26, 9:00 am Divine Service Sun, Nov 26, 10:30 am Bible Class & Sunday School Wed, Nov 29, 3:45 pm Youth Catechesis Wed, Nov 22, 7:00 pm Adult Catechesis Wed Nov 29, 7:00 pm Choir Practice

Bible & Lutheranism Studies Sunday Bible Class Topic: Proverbs When: Sunday mornings @ 10:45 a.m. Where: Luther Hall Men’s Bible Breakfast Topic: Man Up! The Quest for Masculinity When: Saturday, November 18 @ 8:30 a.m. Where: Steak ’n Shake Women’s Bible Study Topic: A Sparrow’s Worth When: Tuesday, November 14 @ 1:00 p.m. Where: Luther Hall Book of Concord Study Topic: The Augsburg Confession When: Tuesday, November 21 @ 7:00 p.m. Where: Luther Hall

Learning Wisdom from Proverbs

One Scriptural book contains proverbs from King Solomon, Agur, Lemuel, and others. The words of wisdom in Proverbs are just as true and valid today as they were 3000 years ago. But how is this book of wisdom different from all the worldly proverbs out there? Join us on Sunday, November 5 as we begin our walk through the book of Proverbs, and therein grow in the grace, knowledge, and wisdom of Jesus Christ.

Daylight Savings Time Daylight Savings Time is ending. Remember to fall back by setting your clocks one hour back before you go to bed on Saturday, November 4.

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November Birthdays 01 Cris Ruisz 01 Conner Schilling 02 Laurrie Bingenheimer 02 Carol Stronczek 03 Kristina Learnahan 06 Jill Olifirowicz 07 Arya Data 08 Jolene Delaney 08 Tom Novy 09 Cassie Cruz 12 Diane Weaver 16 Edward Cruz 20 Dolores Bauman 21 Lori Mumme 22 Anthony Simonetti 24 Brian Data 26 Louis Pallek

Baptismal Anniversaries 02 Gregory Mazurkiewicz 05 Robert Thornton 12 Spenser Fox 13 Avelina Data 14 Meghan Zeller 19 Linda Shurhay 26 Katie Olifirowicz 26 Kyle Olifirowicz 28 Quentin Parmenter 30 Shaun Peters

Wedding Anniversaries 02 Mike & Jill Olifirowicz 06 Ron & Cris Ruisz

Chicago Marathon Conquered! Congratulations to Michelle Schilling, who ran the Chicago Marathon on October 22. What a great accomplishment!

New Member

On October 22 we welcomed Claude Winquist into membership via profession of faith. He comes to us from Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo, Florida. Claude’s home is in Sanford, Florida with his wife Christine, but travels extensively with his job. Having a small place here in Bolingbrook because of his work, he loves our congregation and asked to become a member. We welcome him as a brother in Christ.

Membership Updates

Rose Clark (new address)

2360 White Birch Ln, Apt #3 Joliet, IL 60435-5514

John & Lynn Henricks Family

(transfer of membership) Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

Adams, WI

Doug & Kay Kiefer (new address) 703 N Main St

Earlville, IL 60518-8064

Michael Weaver, USAF PSC3 Box 7726 APO AP 96266

mexli.reardon@gmail.com (cards and notes of encouragement

would be appreciated)

Claude Winquist (new member)

2001 Northumbria Dr Sanford, FL 32771-6477

303-810-3462

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All Saints’ Day We will be celebrating All Saints’ Day on Sunday, November 5. Concerning this feast day, Treasury of Daily Prayer states: This feast is the most comprehensive of the days of commemoration, encompassing the entire scope of that great cloud of witnesses with which we are surrounded (Hebrews 12:1). It holds before the eyes of faith that great multitude which no man can number: all the saints of God in Christ—who have come “out of the great tribulation ... who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9, 14). As such, it sets before us the full height and depth and breadth and length of our dear Lord’s gracious salvation (Ephesians 3:17-19). It shares with Easter a celebration of the resurrection, since all who have died with Christ Jesus have also been raised with Him (Romans 6:3-8). It shares with Pentecost a celebration of the ingathering of the entire Church catholic—in heaven and on earth, in all times and places—in the one Body of Christ, in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Just as we have all been called to the one hope that belongs to our call, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). And the Feast of All Saints shares with the final Sundays of the Church Year an eschatological focus on the life everlasting and a confession that “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). In all of these emphases, the purpose of this feast is to fix our eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, that we might not grow weary or fainthearted (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Thanksgiving Eve Vespers Join us on Wednesday, November 22, beginning at 7:00 p.m., for a Thanksgiving Eve Vespers service in which we thank and praise God for all His blessings of body and soul. He has given us His Son, forgiveness, life, and salvation. He has given us countless physical blessings as well. Join the lone Samaritan in returning to Christ to thank Him for His grace and mercy.

Reformation 500

It was great to see a sanctuary full of members and visitors for our festive Divine Service celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on October 29. One of the highlights was the special music by our youth and adult choirs, organ and flute accompaniment, and a new hymn commissioned by the LCMS and CPH for this quincentennial. Ruth Ogden also put together numerous beautiful floral arrangements for this special day. May our gracious Lord continue to give us the boldness of Luther as we faithfully confess His name and His Word in our daily vocations.

Oktoberfest

More than 80 people joined us in Luther Hall for our annual Oktoberfest luncheon on Reformation Sunday. Those present were treated to an excellent meal. Special thanks to our local Thrivent group for sponsoring this meal and our youth group for setting up and cleaning up.

Choir Practice Choir practice is every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the choir loft. All are welcome to lend their voices in praise to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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New Church Sign

Our new church sign was installed a week before our Reformation 500 celebration. It is simple and clean, easily visible from the street. Our name and the shepherd’s crook with sun point us sinful sheep to Jesus, our Divine Shepherd, our Light, our Life. This new sign was purchased with funds raised by the Confirmation Class of 2017 and donated by an anonymous member.

Little Lambs Preschool

November will be a busy month with class pictures, parent/teacher conferences (Thursday, November 9) and Thanksgiving. We will spend our month exploring insects (which the children have become very interested in), turkeys to get ready for Thanksgiving, and then we will explore animals getting ready for winter. Our Bible stories are Jonah, Daniel, the Three Men in the Furnace, and the Birth of John the Baptist. School is going well. However, we could use someone to help keep our walks clear when it snows. If you are available to help do that, please talk to Terri Kreier (littlelambs@ds-lcms.org or call 630-759-5300 ext. 2).

We will be doing a toy drive starting November 16 to help Lutheran Children and Family Services provide gifts at Christmas for foster children. You may donate

new and unwrapped toys, games, and books for infants to teenagers. Please place your donations in the marked box in the preschool office by December 1.

Terri Kreier, Director

Church Library Our “book of the month” for November is Martin Luther the Reformer by CPH. With the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation just behind us, this book offers a visual journey of parts of Martin Luther’s life and work, portraying the historical context of the Reformation and highlighting how this one man helped to shape both church and society. You can browse the selection of books in our library by visiting librarything.com/catalog/DivineShepherd. Books may be checked out at any time by members.

Help with Fall Projects

Have leaves to rake? Gutters to clean? Bushes to trim? Yard work to get done? Windows to wash before winter? Our youth group is ready and willing to help you get your fall projects done. Contact Lori Mumme or Nadine Parmenter to schedule the youth. Your free will donation will assist them in attending the Higher Things youth conference next summer.

Youth Cookie Sale

The Youth Group is taking orders for Christmas cookies. The cost is $15 for 2 dozen or $25 for 4 dozen assorted cookies. Orders must be turned in by Sunday, December 10 with pick up at church on Sunday, December 17. The sign-up sheet will be posted in Luther Hall. See Lori Mumme or Nadine Parmenter if you have questions.

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Ladies Aid Military Support: If you have relatives or friends serving overseas in the military, please give their names and address to Karen Moritz as soon as possible so we can send them a gift card this holiday season. Monetary donations are always accepted. May Family: The Christmas holiday is fast approaching. Our Christmas projects are already beginning. We are collecting donations for the May family. They are missionaries in Africa with a large family. Africa places a large duty on things brought into the country, so each year we send a monetary donation to allow them to purchase what they need. If you would like to help, please give your donation to Lisa Cruz by Sunday, November 12 (checks made payable to Divine Shepherd Manna). Giving Tree: After Thanksgiving we will put up our own ‘Giving Tree.’ This is for members of our congregation. If you know someone who is in need please give his/her name to Pastor or Lisa Cruz. We try to supply the recipients with items they request, usually in the form of gift cards. Food Drive: In conjunction with the Giving Tree we have a food drive. Non-perishable food and paper products donated by the congregation assist the recipients so they can concentrate on gifts and expenses for their own family. Kitchen Remodel: As you know government and churches move slowly, but we are moving on the renovation of the kitchen. Cabinets are on site for Luther Hall. They will be placed between the nursery room door and the kitchen door. We have funds to purchase the counter top and they will be installed as soon as our volunteers can arrange a date for installation. A permanent place for ‘coffee hour’ with extra storage underneath will be a great addition in that room. We also have funds for a new stove and a small commercial dishwasher for the kitchen. The remainder of the kitchen renovation (cabinets, flooring, etc.) will probably have to wait until the summer to allow installers access without having the preschool in the building. Seminary Student Support: The Ladies Aid also supports the Stephenson family. Jason is a student at the seminary and was in his vicarage year when he suffered a severe brain injury. He was unable to work for some time. However we have received news that he is now able to take some classes and has begun preaching again. We certainly give thanks to God for his progress. However, he will have to repeat his vicarage year again.

Manna Cards: Pre-purchased Manna cards for Home Run Inn, Darden Restaurants, Subway, Walmart, Starbucks, and Target are available for purchase each Sunday. Order turn-in dates are November 5 & 19 and December 3, 10, & 17 with pick up the next Sunday(s). These gift cards are great for every day purchases, birthdays, vacations, and the Giving Tree. Used Clothing: All of us have just finished or are in the process of exchanging our summer wardrobe to winter garments. If you have found clothing that you no longer want or outgrew, bring it to church on any Sunday. Ladies Aid is now able to get cash for gently used clothing. 20 cents per pound doesn’t sound like much, but it will quickly grow into dollars. Give your items to Judy Yuenger or any Ladies Aid member (with a tag stating “Ladies Aid”). Thank you.

Shop with Scrip (Manna)

Next turn-in dates are November 5 & 19

and December 3, 10, & 17. The new company that has taken over the Manna program is charging more for the delivery of the gift cards. For this reason, orders will be sent only once a month (the third Sunday) during the year; during the holiday season they will be sent more frequently.

Your Organization: Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church - Manna

Your Coordinator: Lisa Cruz

630-636-6359 • dslcmanna@yahoo.com

Your Enrollment Code: B2LD2C7A55973

Prayer Chain Several members of our congregation are part of a church prayer chain. If you (women or men) would like to join them in praying for our congregation’s special needs, please contact Bobbie Light at 630-251-7860 or Pastor Mumme.

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Thrivent

Thrivent members, if you have not given your Choice Dollars to Divine Shepherd, please do so. Haven’t signed up yet? It’s easy. Login to your Thrivent account, select Choice Dollars, and follow the prompts. Thrivent members and Choice Dollars are an important source of support for the work our local organization does. Why not do everything you can to make sure that you are getting the most out of your participation. Thrivent thanks everyone who attended the Oktoberfest and made this the largest crowd (80) to date. They also thank everyone for their generous donations of food, for the youth and adults who set up/served/cleaned up, and for the $231 in monetary contributions for Higher Things. The next meeting will be held in Luther Hall after the Divine Services on Sunday, November 12 at 10:05 a.m. So grab your coffee and goodies and meet us there.

Free T-Shirts

After a year of various Action Team projects, we have numerous “Live Generously” t-shirts that are looking for someone to sport them. We have both youth and adult sizes. Pick up your free t-shirt this month from the table in Luther Hall (while supplies last).

Important Phone Numbers Church Office: 630-759-5300 ext. 1 Preschool: 630-759-5300 ext. 2 (Terri Kreier) Pastor Mumme: 815-676-4444 Prayer Chain: 630-251-7860 (Bobbie Light) Newsletter: 630-759-3188 (Karen Moritz)

(items are due November 27)

Bulletins & Altar Flowers The November–December bulletin chart is posted in the narthex. Sign up for any open Sunday(s) to celebrate a special occasion or to honor/remember someone. Cost of bulletins is $10.

The 2018 flower charts and bulletin charts will be posted shortly. This is a wonderful way to help beautify God’s house, celebrate a birthday or anniversary, or remember a

departed loved one. Traditionally flowers are not placed in the chancel during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent. We typically have special floral arrangements for certain festivals: palms on Palm Sunday, spring flowers on Easter Sunday, red bouquets on Confirmation, and poinsettias on Christmas. That leaves nearly 40 open Sundays. If you would like to contribute flowers to help beautify the sanctuary on a Lord’s Day, add your name to any open Sunday on the flower charts. Prices are $40, $45, or $50 for two bouquets (subject to change). If you sign up, Karen Moritz will contact you to get your price range, flower request, and a brief note to place in the bulletin announcements. When the worship service is over, you are welcome to take your bouquets home or you may leave them at church for the following Sunday or for pastor to take to homebound or hospitalized members. The Altar Guild would like to thank everyone who purchased flowers to beautify the sanctuary during 2017, and Ruth Ogden for the many beautiful arrangements. Please check upcoming weekly bulletins for order forms to purchase poinsettias for the Christmas season. Cost is $10 each and payment with completed form is due by Sunday, December 11.

Sunday Treats

Please consider signing up to bring treats on any given Sunday. Empty slots means no treats. The signup sheet is posted on the Luther Hall bulletin board. To enable our diabetic members

to enjoy these treats, please consider supplementing some of the “sugary goodies” with crackers and cheese and/or fruit. Monetary donations are accepted to defray the cost of drinks and paper products, which are supplied by Ladies Aid.

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Treasurer’s Report As of Sep. 30 Actual Budget Expenses $134,868 $144,300 Income $125,973 $125,300 Yearly expenses have exceeded income by $9,000. We need to have at least $2,800 coming in weekly to meet the monthly expenses. Thanks for your consideration and generosity when it comes to stewardship.

Denise Ziesemer, Treasurer

Christian Stewardship

Your heart always goes where you put God’s money. Stewardship is not an optional subcategory of the Christian life; it is the living out of a Christian’s dependence on God. As such, faith and finances are inseparable. True joy is found not in storing up the things of this world, for the things of this world won’t last. True joy is found in clinging to Christ who poured out His life for you on the cross and now gives you His Life in Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper. The things of this world are temporarily given to us by God to see and we will be called to account for how we manage the Owner’s things (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Prayerfully consider your giving. In this month of Thanksgiving, prayerfully consider your giving to God’s work in His Church. Are you faithfully giving a first-fruits tithe (10%) of your income to the work of God? Are you, as St. Paul says, “excelling in this grace of giving”? If not, why not? In next month’s newsletter we’ll consider more of what God says about Stewardship—specifically more about tithing (the Biblical practice of giving a tenth of our income to God’s work in the Church)—and provide steps for planning your giving for next year.

excerpt from “Stewardship under the Cross” Rev. H. R. Curtis

Issues, Etc.

You are invited to listen to Issues, Etc. — the radio voice of the Lutheran faith for the 21st century. Issues, Etc. is Lutheran talk radio hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken and produced by Lutheran Public Radio. Listen live (3:00-5:00pm CST) or at your leisure via the following options (go to issuesetc.org and click on the ‘listen’ tab for specific options):

• issuesetc.org (via a web browser) • Sirius XM • Amazon app • Android via Google Play • Apple via iTunes • Windows Phone • tunein • stitcher

Lutheran Public Radio

Lutheran Public Radio plays a variety of sacred music 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas music are just around the corner in the weeks to come. You can listen whenever you want via the following options:

• lutheranpublicradio.org (via a web browser) • Amazon app • Amazon Echo (“Alexa, play Lutheran Public Radio”) • Android via Google Play • Apple via iTunes • Windows Phone • tunein

Amazon Smile When shopping on Amazon, begin your purchases at smile.amazon.com and our congregation will receive 0.5% of every purchase made. Simply designate our congregation as your charitable organization at Amazon Smile. Thanks for your support!

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Veterans Prayer Lord, we lift up all the veterans and the loved ones left behind who have answered the call to duty on land and sea and in the air. Because of Your kindness toward us, we live in freedom today through the sacrifices our veterans have made. We thank You for letting us live in this beautiful land, where only love of You and family take precedence over love of country. We thank You for the victories that have been given to us and the liberty we now enjoy because of the courageous service of our veterans. Bless us and bless our land, that we always may be the “land of the free and home of the brave.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thanksgiving Prayer Father, we are overwhelmed by Your bounteous love and mercy. You have provided us with food, homes, clothing, family, friends, and freedoms. You have blessed us with Your Word. Through Baptism, we are blessed to be Your children. We have this blessing of forgiveness from Your Son, through His body and blood. We are blessed to receive the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Thank You for all of these blessings. Amen.

Portals of Prayer

A Hymn of Thanks and Praise

Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done,

In whom His world rejoices; Who from our mothers’ arms

Has blest us on our way With countless gifts of love

And still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us,

With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us

And keep us in His grace And guide us when perplexed

And free us from all ills In this world and the next!

All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven,

The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore;

For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.