nov/dec voice lmc church chicago

Staff/ Council

Pastor’s Pen

Youth News

Musical Musings

Noteworthy News

Holiday Market

Council Minutes

Council Minutes

Advent Information

Birthdays/Anniv.

Prayer Page

Ministry Opp

WELCA

Meet Deaconess Claire

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NOV/DEC2012

Table of Contents

The Voice

LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH OF CHICAGO

Christmas Service Schedule5:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Service

11:00 pm Christ Mass Service

Please note the service reminders:

December 23rd Christmas Program one service at 10:00am

December 30th one service at 10:00 am

Please note the VOICE will be distributed every other month moving forward. Please use the weekly emails, website, bulletins and

in-service announcements for up-to-date information. The church office hours are listed on page 2 if you need information by phone.

Christmas Service Schedule

Church StaffTimothy Brown, Pastor

Karley Berry, Nursery AttendantBonnie Fallen, Secretary

Tim Heverin, Asst. to SextonAmy Holmes, Administrative Assistant

Brian Myers, Youth DirectorJulie Manis Nursery Attendant

Claire Schoeppe, Youth and Family DirectorBriana Sprague Travis,Music Director

Steve Wimpffen, Sexton

Luther Memorial Church of Chicago

2500 W Wilson AvenueChicago, IL 60625-3026

Phone: 773-539-3018Fax: 773-539-3599

[email protected]

Office Hours:Monday

10:00am-5:00 pm

Tuesday & Wednesday8:00am-12:00 pm

Thursday8:00am-5:00 pm

Friday8:00am-12:00 pm

Church Council

Marcia Mawe(President)773-784-5409 [email protected]

Scott Lorraine(Vice President) 773-677-4374 [email protected]

Jill Smith(Secretary) 773-506-9474 [email protected]

Aaron Schoof (Treasurer)773-401-1516 [email protected]

Bruce Bowers 847-830-2829; [email protected]

David Byerly 312-519-1484 [email protected]

Misti Peppler773.469.6390; [email protected]

Lara Prestipino 773-583-3584 [email protected]

To email the office: [email protected] for the weekly email or bulletin: [email protected]

To submit information for the VOICE: [email protected]

STAFF/COUNCIL

Sunday School TeachersVicki Thoms- 3 year oldsLaurie Nelson-4 year olds & KindergartenJenny Araujo-3rd & 4th gradesSusan Barreto-5th thru 8th grades

Helpers/ Floaters: Paula GiovacchiniNancy WallWendy Thompson

Art: Tom JohnsonMusic: Marcia MaweDrama: Joe Jensen

2-The Voice Nov/Dec 2012

PASTOR’S PEN

The Voice Nov/Dec 2012-3

Greetings Disciples,

One of my favorite poems is by Edna St. Vincent Millay:

“My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night;But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-It gives a lovely light!”

This time of year, November through December, feels a lit-tle bit like this poem to me. Somehow eight weeks fly even as we hustle and bustle through feasts and shopping, eat-ing and drinking, hugging and holding. Turkeys lie pros-trate on our tables, trees grow rootless from our living rooms, and all the while we run around barely enjoying any of it because we’re so “busy.”

We truly are affected with “affluenza,” the sickness of having too much: too much to do, too much to buy, too much to cook, too much to have, too much to open, too much to say. Affluenza.

But Advent, this holy time we’re about to enter into, is a time of housewarming. It’s busy; yes. But it’s a cozy busy…or at least it is supposed to. In the ancient world there came a conflagration of “holiday” and “holy day.” This was purposeful at Christmas. As Christians took over the pagan holiday of Saturnalia, of feasting and drinking and dancing and partying, they imposed upon it a “holy day” that was set aside for reflection, rejoicing, and remembrance. In this instance, remembering the Christ-child, the God-with-us.

But often our November-December times become more holi-day than holy day…and we miss out on half of the point.

Observing the holiness of this time of year, as things become dormant, as we hang up some of our duties as lawn-cutters, garden tenders, and beach loungers in order to become candle-light read-ers, slow-cookers, and fire starters, can indeed help the season shine with a lovely light. We must be mindful, watchful, as we’re pregnant with the Christ-child who makes all things new.

Especially as we await all things being new in 2013.

So yes, there is a Christmas program at 10am on December 23rd. And yes we have two ser-vices on the 24th, 5pm and 11pm. And yes, we begin our Advent soup suppers on Wednes-days at 6:15 with simple hymns and short reflections at 7pm. And yes the youth are carol-ing on Friday the 21st. And yes, the young adult group is caroling on Saturday the 22nd.

But if all of those are just marks on your calendars, more things “to do,” then your candle will burn at both ends…but it’s light won’t be lovely. Yet, if we can make this time holy, sacred, set apart as though we are warming our voices to sing lullaby’s for a coming child, lighting candles to wait through the night, watch-ing plays to find our part in the story. Then, my friends, though this season may fly by…it will be lovely.

See you then, bring your Bibles.Peace,Pt…


YOUTH NEWS Brian MyersYouth Director

[email protected]

Luther Memorial Church Youth Group…

A CREED to believe inA COMMUNITY to belong to

A CALL to live outA HOPE to hold on to

Hello Church,

The Youth have been challenging me.

Don’t get me wrong, I mean this in an incredibly positive way. I have never met young people so engaged that leads them to investigate and question as much as they are. I feel very honored and blessed to be apart of this time in their lives. And you should too; the Luther community plays a very important role in the lives of the young people here.

One way that they are engaging ever deeper is with the new Youth Group and Confirmation format we started this fall. If you remember, last year Confirmation and Youth Group were | held on alternating Monday nights and now we are having both meet on the same nights together. It’s been great seeing the Youth involved more often and more intentionally. Thanks be to God!

Wondering what the Youth have planned for the rest of the year?Here’s a snapshot of some of our upcoming events:

Monday, December 10, 2012 Youth Christmas PartyFriday, December 21, 2012 Christmas caroling downtown at Cloud Gate (the Bean)Saturday, January 12, 2013 Service Project at the Ravenswood Mobile Food PantrySunday, January 13, 2013 Our Next Youth Service Sunday

Youth Group is held on Monday evenings from 7-8:30pm. November Youth Group will be held on the 5 th, 12th and 19thand December Youth Group will be held on the 3rd and 10th.

Rehearsal will run from 6:45pm-8:00pm. Childcare will be provided!

Come join the LMC Choir! Here are the fall dates for rehearsal and performance times


MUSICAL MUSINGS

Briana TravisCelebration Band Director

"The Punniest Music Plug I've Ever Written"

Advent is almost upon us! We are preparing several special musical showcas- es for Advent and Christmas, but the lists are certainly not finalized...

We've got a brass group coming, the Sunday School kids are preparing music for their Children's Program, the choir and band preparing for Sunday services and Christmas Eve, but this is a SEASON TO CELEBRATE WITH AS MUCH MUSIC AS POSSIBLE! I know that there are a couple of caroling events for you to attend, but I want to throw this out there...

We have to season our services with music that will make us smile, help us worship, and cause us to reflect. This season is the best time to be involved in the music of the church, even if it is on a temporary basis. Pastor Tim told us just a couple of months ago about how we are to be salt (as we are told in Mark 5), and I think that music is the perfect seasoning to flavor our worship!

My call to you is as follows: Decide how you will season the season. Can you commit to participating as a musi-cian in one or more of our services? I am extending this invitation to you without knowing what your talents are, but YOU know, GOD knows, and our music program is set up just for you! We have the choir organized so that people are welcome to participate when and how they choose. Some people join us for every service, but oth-ers only pick services here and there. Christmas Eve is even cooler because we often have "extra salt" with voices of visiting family members. Should you join us for the 11pm Christmas Eve Choir? The music is GREAT! For our Fam-ily Service on Christmas Eve at 5pm, we had some youth instrumentalists last year... Should that be you this year? Can you offer Special Music for a Sunday Service at 9am or 11am on an instrument or with your voice?

Pray about these things. Talk to me. Be the salt of the season at LMC this year. It will be fun!

11/4- Sunday Service, 8:10am- “Great Gittin’ Up Mornin’” arr. Mark Hayes11/6- Rehearsal, 6:45pm

11/11- Sunday Service, 8:10am- “Great God and God of Our Salvation,” by Cark F. Mueller11/13- NO REHEARSAL

11/18- NO CHOIR AT SUNDAY SERVICE11/20- Rehearsal, 6:45pm

11/25- Sunday Service, 8:10am- “Holy, Holy, Holy,” by Franz Schubert11/27- Rehearsal, 6:45pm

12/2- Sunday Service, 8:10am- “Advent Prayer,” arr. Patrick M. Liebergen12/4- Rehearsal, 6:45pm

12/9- Sunday Service, 8:10am- “Jesus, He Shall Be Great,” by Tom Fettke12/11- Rehearsal, 6:45pm

12/16- NO CHOIR AT SUNDAY SERVICE12/18- Rehearsal, 6:45pm

12/23- One Service at 10:00am, Choir participation to be determined12/24- CHRISTMAS EVE 11pm Service, 10:10pm call time,

“Sound Over All Waters,” by Paul Halley“The Birthday of a King,” W. H. Neidlinger

“Baby’s Born in Bethlehem,” by Mary Val Marsh


NOTEWORTHY NEWS

A New Church Directory is ComingLMC is getting a new picture directory, and we need your faces! No purchase is required for the photos, but feel free to use these as your Christmas albums. Please sign up at the

back of the church for a time slot on Wednesday, November 28, Thursday, November 29th, Friday the 30th, or Saturday, December 1st. You can also call Lara Prestipino 773-386-2407

Save the Date for our Annual Congregational Meeting!Join us Sunday, January 13th for one service at 10am with a meeting and potluck following.

We’ll be voting, approving and electing. Please don’t miss it.

Young Adult Volunteering at the Mobile Food Pantry: Saturday, December 8thWe’ll meet over at Ravenswood Elementary School (at Montrose and Paulina) at 8:30am to help set up, set out, and serve

food to our neighbors. We’ll be finished by 11am, and don’t be surprised if some folks decide to grab some brunch nearby. Please contact Christopher Brown at [email protected] or [email protected] for more details.

Young Adult Caroling in Lincoln Square: Saturday, December 22ndCome to the church at 5pm to practice some carols, and then head out as a group to enjoy some fes-

tive singing to welcoming neighbors. Don’t miss this great Christmas tradition!

Winter Basketball at LMC!Are you interested in playing in a men’s basketball league at Luther Memorial this winter? Our men’s team plays on some

Sunday afternoons from December-March, and has a great time competing against other church leagues in the city. Come and join us! Please contact Casey McMillin at ([email protected]) for more information and a full schedule.

Coffee Hour RevampYou may have noticed a few changes to coffee hour and we are going to be continuing to improve your experience.

Welcoming visitors and connecting with members, family and friends is an important part of our church going experi-ence. There is a hospitality team that has been exploring ways to enhance this time at church. Our first step was bring-

ing back the outdoor coffee hour during summer worship. It would be lovely to continue that, but Chicago winters aren’t exactly mild...so we are working to help people transition downstairs and feel comfortable, if this isn’t part of their Sun-day routine. We will be looking for people to ‘host’ on Sunday mornings meaning that you will be there to help people find their way to coffee hour and make sure they have what they need. There are currently sign ups for the 9 am and

11am coffee hour hosts and the back of church. This is an important ministry at LMC, please consider getting involved. You can talk to Misti Peppler, Jill Smith or Lara Prestipino. Our contact info is on page 2 of this issue of the VOICE.


HOLIDAY MARKET INFORMATION

LMC's 8th Annual St. Nicholas Holiday Market

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun. Nov. 18th

Please help spread the word among your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers.All are invited for some holiday cheer, including great shopping, a delicious lunch anda Children’s Tree! Merchandise will feature handcrafted and fair trade items from localarea vendors and homemade cookies and other baked goodies — perfect for holiday

gatherings and gifts or just eating.

The St. Nicholas Holiday Market is the opportunity for the people of LMC to benefit ourcommunity by giving of our

Time, with the many jobs to prepare for that day.Talents like baking cookies and other homemade items for our cookie walk and

bake sale.Money, from your donations and by shopping at the Market.

We choose to give to three communities - local, state, and worldwide. In addition, volunteers are needed to serve on the St. Nicholas Holiday Market

Planning Committee to help lead, organize and provide support for event set up/decoration, sales and cleanup. For more information, please contact: jerry Giese at

[email protected].

Children’s Tree for the St. Nicholas Holiday Market

The Children's Tree is a recently added feature of the St. Nicholas HolidayMarket that provides many children with a great start to the holiday season.

The Children’s Tree is a game to raise funds for the Holiday Mar-ket. Children purchase chances to select unmarked

envelopes from a Christmas Tree. The chances are $1 per chance or 6 for $5. In each unmarked envelopes there is

a ticket to win a gift or receive a candy cane as a consolation prize. The prizes ($10), and best ($15 or more). A winner

gets to choose any gift within the group shown on their ticket.

The prizes for the children are gifts donated by the congregation and area vendors. Ideally, you can donatesome new or gently used birthday or Christmas gifts that are stored in a closet but never given. Or, you have

gifts that were received by your family and not used. We will also ac-cept any new gifts that have been purchased.

Any unused gifts will be donated to a local Children's Toy Drive.

Immediate Need: We need donated gifts to stock the Children's Tree. We do not have a beginning store of toys this year as in the past. Our goal is to have a stock of about 40 to 50 gifts that are in the age range

of 3 -12 and value range of $5 to $15 or a bit more. Bring them to church on the next three Sundays.


Luther Memorial Church of ChicagoMinutes from August Council meeting, August 28, 2012

Attending: Marcia Mawe, Misti Peppler, Aaron Schoof, Jill Brown Smith, Bruce Bow-ers, Pastor Tim Brown, Lara Prestipino, David Byerly, Excused: Scott Lorraine

Opening – We Assemble in God’s Name 7:39pm Opened evening with scripture reflection from Marcia. Acts 16: 22-33Added thoughts that we didn’t complete from the retreat “What are the needs of the neighbor-hood, Lincoln Square” can we deliver to people things that people aren’t expecting?Discussed that we will not have our book discussion meeting tomorrow, we will re-schedule soon. Please remember to read book to page 58.We Present our Offering

Present Minutes from May – motion to approve Marcia, Misti secondPresent Minutes from July Council Retreat – motion Marcia, Bruce secondFor future Council will have Council Summary in Voice, suggested minutes need to be housed on Cloud server. Jill to ask Synod what their recommendation is for holding/saving council minutes.

Youth/Family DirectorVicki Thoms guest to present position recommendationCommittee: Todd Lido, Kurt Drain, Vicki Thoms, Ben Meyer, Tim Brown, Marcia Mawe

Interviewed three very qualified candidates. There were at least 4 members of team that interviewed each candidate.Vicki gave formal recommendation to hire Claire Schoep – Masters Student at Loyola, Liturgical History, previous Deaconess work has been in youth ministries. Marcia made motion that we hire Claire Schoep effective immediately pending background check. Dave Byerly seconded. Vote unanimous. Part time salary $20,000 annually.

Discussed nursery – Jill will discuss status and work on next steps to have Claire take over nursery arrangements.

Sunday School – still looking for one more teacher.

Financial Report provided by Aaron SchoofShared reports through JulyDiscussion about encouraging congregation to give electronically. We haven’t discussed in a while. Need to make this process obvious and easy. Studies show giving increases/stays consistent and would be better for church. Aaron will find out “giving per unit” and how things look after push from Annual Meeting in January

Youth Expenses – we are approximately $6000 over budget, some has been recovered by donations from fundraising for the camps. Are there ways to offset and fundraise for this? Maybe need to address how this is handled for next year, fundraise ahead or kids pay to ensure we have the budget to attend.Discussion with Pr Tim – we wanted to make camp affordable, took a risk that the congregation would make up the rest. Might go back to congregational to let them know we didn’t completely cover camp. Need to budget for next year. For rest of year, youth will have to watch budget and pay out of pocket.Revenue vs expense we are approx. ($10,000)For year, ahead $2500Expenses are going to be going up in coming months – staff position, health insurance


President’s ReportBrian and Pr discussed update to catechism programVBS went great – pictures will go on websitePhase Voice out and make weekly emails as primary communication.Open position for VoiceStarting Sept 30, every other week. Velvet Elvis, Rob BellNew members – asking for class 10-12 people. Thurs, Sept 6th 7pm – anyone come if available.Youth camp got great feedback. Youth gathering in Detroit 2015 – should start talking in 2014 about fundraisingBill – interim organist, working greatChoir meeting went well – Briana has sent out emails to people about choir. She has also picked out all music up to Advent.Good feedback that members are excited to be asked to participate on teams, etc.Zommer bequest - $25,000 and need to tithe $2500 of this.Tithe – motion $1250 to benevolence, $1250 to Gateway to Learning

Usher TrainingGood amount of attendance, new names are being passed to Diane Betten to add to rota-tion. Misti will share with council the sheet that she handed out to everyone at training.Follow up on badges, share lists with all ushers, continue the training with current ushers.

Hospitality Hospitality hour – signage, physical layout, coordinating the family hosts

Discussion of Nominating Council MembersLara and Aaron’s positions are open – Lara and Aaron will serve on nominating team with 2 other members. They will nominate and recommend persons for Annual Meeting.Annual Meeting Sunday, January 13th

Action Items:Next meeting Tuesday, September 25, 7pmOctober 23, 7pm (will have budget discussion for 2013)Separate meeting for book discussion.Closing:Motion to adjourn Lara, Aaron secondClosing prayerMeeting closed 9:25pm

August 2012Offering: $19,940

Attendance: 9am - 90

11am - 76

September 2012Offering: $25,697

Attendance: 9am - 16811am - 79


ADVENT INFORMATION

What is the Jesse Tree?

The symbol comes from Isaiah 11, and reminds us of the waiting that happened in looking for the promised messiah who was to change the world and redeem Israel. A 9th Century hymn might help us to see why this symbol has, for hundreds of years, given people hope and inspiration during Advent leading up to Christmas,

“O come, O Rod of Jesse’s stem,From every foe deliver themThat trust your mighty power to save,And give them victory o’er the grave.”Greetings Disciples,

One of my favorite poems is by Edna St. Vincent Millay:

“My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night;But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-It gives a lovely light!”

This time of year, November through December, feels a little bit like this poem to me. Somehow eight weeks fly even as we hustle and bustle through feasts and shopping, eating and drink-ing, hugging and holding. Turkeys lie prostrate on our tables, trees grow rootless from our living rooms, and all the while we run around barely enjoying any of it because we’re so “busy.”

We truly are affected with “affluenza,” the sick-ness of having too much: too much to do, too much to buy, too much to cook, too much to have, too much to open, too much to say. Affluenza.

But Advent, this holy time we’re about to enter into, is a time of housewarming. It’s busy; yes. But it’s a cozy busy…or at least it is supposed to. In the ancient world there came a conflagration of “holiday” and “holy day.” This was purposeful at Christmas. As Christians took over the pagan holiday of Saturnalia, of feast-ing and drinking and dancing and partying, they imposed upon it a “holy day” that was set aside for reflec-

Wednesday Advent Soup Suppers 6:15-7:30pm November 28th and going through Wednesday December 19th

Prepare for Christmas With LMC’s Advent Family 2hr Retreat on Sunday, November 25

from 12:30pm-2:30. Invitations will be going out soon.

BIRTHDAYS


NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS11/1 HERNANDEZ, ALEXANDER11/1 FLOCCO, DEBBIE11/1 MARTIN, JENNIFER11/3 MATTEUCCI, MICHAEL11/4 WILSON, DONTAE11/5 DELGADO, IVAN11/8 KORNECKI, DAVE11/8 KOZLOWSKI, TAMMI11/9 HAUT, GLORIA11/9 KAWELL, CONNIE11/12 NELSON, CATHERINE & TERESA11/13 NELSON, DANIEL11/15 CONNOLLY, CAROL11/15 HAMMEGREN, GUNNAR MILES11/18 KELSEY, JENNA11/18 THOMS, DAVID11/20 BROWN, PR. TIM11/20 KLEIN, ROBERT11/21 PHALEN, ANDREW11/21 PHELPS, WILLIAM11/23 BAPPERT, DAVID11/23 SHIMKO, JUSTIN11/23 STEELE, BRIAN11/25 DAMERY, SHERI11/25 MC CARTHY, SARAH11/27 WIEMER, MATT11/29 CALLISTER, GEORGE11/29 LIAM KING11/29 OWEN KING11/29 RUSSELL, SARA11/30 HERNANDEZ, ANDRES____________________________________DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS12/1 PONCE, CHARLIE12/1 RUSSELL, JOHN12/3 SNYDER, PAUL12/4 MENEGON, KASARAH12/4 RUDIE, JOANN12/5 SHARITS-JOHNSEN, JUDITH12/5 THOMA, CHARLES RYAN12/6 SMITH, NELLIE12/6 SMITH, SIDNEY12/7 VIDINA, BETTE12/8 SMITH, HUNTER12/9 BOWERS, BRUCE12/10 BARKENQUAST, LAURA12/11 ALEXANDER, EMILIE12/11 BRADY, THERESA MAE12/12 PEPPLER, CAELYN

12/12 SHORES, CHRISTOPHER12/15 NAESE-BARRETO, SUSAN12/17 BETTEN-DAHL, DIANE12/17 GIBBS, KRISTI12/17 MAC QUARRIE, VIRGINIA12/18 FISCHER, MAC KENZIE12/18 KIRK, GUNNAR12/18 SHUGAILO, SHELBY12/19 O’CONNELL, MEGAN12/20 MOORE, L CAITLIN12/20 AYALA, VICTOR12/21 LIDO, TODD12/21 MATTEUCCI, MATTHEW12/22 WELSH, ABRIELLE ELIZABETH12/23 MENEGON, JANET12/25 DIETERICH, BENJAMIN12/26 MATTHESIUS, KURT12/27 SHAKILA WILLIAMS12/27 WILSON, DAVID12/27 WUNDER, CHRISTOPHER12/28 MARTINEZ, NICHOLE12/28 SCHULZ, LAURA12/28 WELDON, CHRISTINE12/29 COLEMAN, ASHLEY12/29 GIESE, CHARLOTTE12/29 MADISON, ASHLEY12/29 MARTINEZ, MICHAEL12/29 RUSSELL, SARA12/29 WEBER, SUSAN12/30 BRANNAN, CHRIS12/30 OHAMA, JANICE12/30 RENAS, MARGARET

___________________________________ANNIVERSARIES

11/26 MICHAEL & CATHERINE CASSARELLA12/10 MUHANNAD ALJUND & LAURA BARKENQUAST

Prayer Chains

Prayer is a powerful tool. If you’d like to be

added to the PrayerChain list please feel free!

There are two groups: one that connects through email and

one over the phone. If you’d like to join ei-ther group or add a

prayer request, please contact the captains.

Via Email: Jenny Araujo

[email protected]

Via Phone:new member

needed. Please contactLinda Miranda

[email protected] / 773-334-8620


PRAYER PAGEMembers/Life StrugglesGeorge CallisterPaula GiovacchiniJune HanselmanConnie & Kris KawellJenna KelseyMichael and Frieda Kraus Harriet LuehrsSonja Martinez & FamilyKurt MatthesiusCharlie and Sis MillerLois MoorePucylowski FamilyRaack FamilyNaomi SchnurDieter Schulte & FamilyDavid & Mary SchulzRaymond Shores Sr.Lila SurianoGertrude SniderJesse Thomas Marian Thompson Kimberly Tracy Helen Zoch

Friends/RelativesLife Struggle Amanda’s Fat herAnnika & Bo JohnsonChristian ArroyoDoug AthertonAunt CathyAunt NancyViolet BohrJan BolligBrian & SarahKent Byerly & Adam ByerlyKatie-Martha Cam-marata's sister McKenzie ColacinoColeman FamilyCousin JodiCurry FamilyAnne DaltonDaly FamilyDanielMichelle Eggleston

Gretchen DelaPenaElise AbbottEmmanuelEricFamily of Jeff BotrumFamily of Louise McNamaraFamily of Liu-SuskindFather of Matt WiemerDavid FallenAgnes FishFlorence & MarshallFrank (Bethany’s Grandpa) Kellyn GawellJess GipsonKaren & Peter GraffM. J. GulckJames Jennifer Hender-son and Family Nancy HickeyReggie HopkinsMary, Edward & KarenEd K & CarolJennifer, Bianca & GregMs. JennBo JohnsonSuzie Johnson/MarilynKaite & Steve’s BabyCarolyn KelleyLarry KleinDeanna Lange Barbara LiakakosMaddy & WalterCarol MaramMarcy Family / Mait FamilyMaribethMary & EdwardJen MasengarbAlbert MattoxAbe MatthewDaniel Patrick McCarthyMichael & AmandaMeirwen MorrellMicah & Blair MuldoonMother of Karl RaackMother & Father (Kirk Family)Jackie NelsonLouise Nygard & son David

Ruth Olson-Jon Peppler's AuntTressie PaschalJason PatinoDan PennyEric Pietsch and FamilyDavid Prestipino FamilyDianna PrestipinoJoan RiceIrma Roman-RiveraSally (sister of Laurie)Susan & LisaTed & Mary, Carol & EdTom RobinsonJulie SamuelsonDanielle SipesPeyton StylesEleanor TackeBonnie TaylorTed & MaryFather & Family of Vaugh WalkerDavid WebbWilliams FamilyDonald WoscikCathy Wrobll


MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIESOngoingMinistries at LMC

Lunch with PastorFirst Thursday of the month

Beginner’s RoomJoin Pastor Tim in conversation

RavenswoodMobile Pantry

Second Saturday ofthe month

8:30-11:30 am4332 N. Paulina St

Kerry [email protected]

Peace VigilThe 15th of the month

7:30 pmSanctuary

Dieter [email protected]

Night Ministry PrepThird Thursday of the month

Alternating Noon/7pmPlease check with Diane for timing

Gym/Fellowship HallDiane Schulte

[email protected]

Night Ministry Cookie BakeCan be dropped off in

LMC kitchen by Third Wed of the month

400 needed

Night Ministry ServingThird Thursday of

the monthRSVP only

Mark [email protected]

LMC Bookclub meets the last Thursday of most months at 7:30 pm in the church lounge. Everyone is welcome. Here are our upcoming books:

Nov 29th: West With the Night by Beryl Markham

West with the Night is the story of Beryl Markham--aviator, racehorse trainer, beauty--and her life in the Kenya of the 1920s and ‘30s.

Jan 31st: The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

This riveting historical epic of love and family, war and loss, risk and destiny is the novel Adriana Trigiani was born to write, one inspired by her own family his-

tory and the love of tradition that has propelled her body of bestselling novels to international acclaim.

Any questions please contact Sara Byerly: [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE: The BYOB Chili Supper will be on Saturday, Jan. 19, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Come warm up with us. More details to follow!

All invited to the LMC Pre-Thanksgiving Pot Luck DinnerTo be held on Wednesday, November 14th, 6:00 pm

Turkey and coffee will be provided. Please bring your favorite thanksgiving dish,

dessert or wine to share! It’s a BYOB night. We will also be collecting food for the

North Park Friendship Center or consider making a monetary donation to the Food

Pantry and we will be preparing sack lunches for the Night Ministry. All welcome!


WELCA NEWSWOMEN OF THE ELCA NewsThe members of our coordinating council were installed at the 9 am service on September 30th. The members are as follows: Linda Miranda – President and leader of the Women’s Spirituality Group, Dixie Downes – Secretary and leader of the Service Group, Ellen Kelley – Treasurer, Diane Schulte and Lara Prestipino – co-leaders of the Knit-ting & Quilting Group, and Jenny Araujo – leader of the Bible Study Group. In addition to Diane’s role in the K & Q group, she also represents Mary Circle. Ellen Kelley is taking over as treasurer from Frieda Thoroe who is one of our founding members and has served as our treasurer for many years. We are extremely grateful to Frieda for her many years of service and hope she will enjoy many more years of just being a member of Mary Circle.Our groups have begun their regular monthly meetings. The Bible Study group will be meeting on the last Thursday of each month beginning at 7 pm. The Women’s Spirituality group meets on the second Thurs-day of each month in the lounge beginning at 7:30 pm. The Service group and the Knitters and Quilters group are still working on establishing the day and time that will work best for the members of these groups. Please use the information at the end of this article to contact the leaders of those groups for more information.Don’t forget to reserve your spot at our 5th annual Women’s Spiritual Retreat which is being held at the Cen-acle Conference & Retreat Center on Fullerton Ave. Reservation forms are due by Nov. 4th if you want to stay over-night. The reservation forms are located on the magazine rack at the entrance to the church.Looking ahead, please make a note of the following activities coming up: Nov. 14 at 6:00pm is the pre-Thanksgiving pot-luck, and on Sat., Dec. 8th beginning at 2 pm we will have our Christmas party which is being held at 2722 W. Leland Ave. After the feast on the 14th, we will help make sandwiches and fill the lunch bags for the Night Min-istry. If you are able to attend the Christmas party, please bring food or drink to share. We’ll sing some Christ-mas carols, enjoy each other’s company, and relax for a couple of hours. Hope to see you at both events.For those of you who might be interested in knowing more about the Women of the ELCA I would en-courage you to check out the website for the church wide organization: www.womenoftheelca.org. For those who are chronologically younger or those who are just young at heart check out www.boldcafe.org. Café is an award-winning web-based magazine for young adult women who want to build commu-nity, participate in advocacy, and strengthen their faith. It incorporates a Lutheran perspective but is a great read for any woman who is interested in how faith can relate to every-day life. Happy reading.Yours in Christ,Linda Miranda

Group Leaders Contact InformationBible Study - Jenny Araujo - [email protected] or 773-784-1738

Knitters and Quilters - Lara Prestipino - [email protected] or 773-583-3584 & Diane Schulte 7773-583-5814 Service Group Dixie Downes [email protected] or 847-679-2631

Women’s Spirituality Group - Linda Miranda – [email protected] or 773-334-8620 “The Punniest Music Plug I’ve Ever Written”

Advent is almost upon us! We are preparing several special musical showcas-es for Advent and Christmas, but the lists are certainly not finalized...

We’ve got a brass group coming, the Sunday School kids are preparing music for their Children’s Program, the choir and band preparing for Sunday services and Christmas Eve, but this is a SEASON TO CELEBRATE WITH AS MUCH MUSIC

AS POSSIBLE! I know that there are a couple of caroling events for you to attend, but I want to throw this out there...

We have to season our services with music that will make us smile, help us worship, and cause us to re-flect. This season is the best time to be involved in the music of the church, even if it is on a tem-porary basis. Pastor Tim told us just a couple of months ago about how we are to be salt (as we

are told in Mark 5), and I think that music is the perfect seasoning to flavor our worship!

MEET DEACONESS CLAIREOur new Youth and Family Ministry Director, Deaconess Claire Schoepp, was born in Eindhoven Netherlands, but grew up mostly in New Jersey and IL. Her fam-ily's moving around instilled a love of travel and culture in Deaconess Claire. The moves have also helped her see what life looks like from someone on the outside of any community before they really are welcomed in. "That's one of the things that drew me to LMC -- it's such a welcoming community. It didn't take long to feel like this could be a good place to call a church home." Deaconess Claire attended Valparaiso University where she studied Theology, Spanish, and Humanities and was a Deaconess Student. Valpo was a good place to explore calling and Deacon-ess Claire found her heart drawn to diaconal service and community. While Dea-

coness Claire is now working on a MA in Biblical Languages and Literature at Loyola University, she finds her calling to be somewhere between the academy and the church. "Far too often there is a chasm between theology and faith and young people, especially children, get lost in the shuffle. I want to make sure that our young people grow up to have the tools to ask good questions so their faith can continue to grow." Deaconess Claire's largest hopes for her ministry at LMC include to encouraging families to grow together in faith as they learn what it means to be the light of Christ in our neighbor-hood, city and world. For her, this means building community, connecting people, and making sure that we are equipping even our littlest ones with those stories that shape us so well to be servants of God and thereby to serve our neighbor.


Dear Friends in Christ,

What a joy and a blessing it has been to come on board as the Youth and Family Ministry Director here at LMC. I love that we are paying attention to the needs of our young families intentionally & thank you for your partnership in that effort.

You’re probably still wondering who is this Deaconess lady? Well, I want to get to know you too...I do better if I can put faces with names. So here are some good questions to ask me when you see me:A) What is a Deaconess? B) What is the name of the story book you wrote for your nephew? C) Who is your favorite young adult author? D) How many times have you been to Spain?

It’s hard to believe it but Advent is just around the corner and then Christmas. This year, we’re going to try teaching about an old tradition that may be new to some of you at LMC. It’s called a Jesse Tree. A JesseTree is a depiction in art of the an-cestry of Jesus and it particularly reminds us that God chooses to work in some of the most unexpected places and with some of the most unexpected people. The Christmas program (December 23) will be based on this Jesse Tree tradition.

On November 25th Pastor Tim and I will be heading up an Advent Family 2hr Retreat from 12:30-2pm. Families are invited to stay for lunch and spend some time working together on making an Ad-vent Wreath, devotions, singing, and good fun. We’ll also be working together on ornaments we’ll use for this year’s Christmas Program...they’ll be themed around the Jesse Tree. But don’t think this is only for old-er kids. Praying our way through Advent is something families even with the littlest ones can do.

Looking forward to praying with you this Advent and being thankful that God is re-vealed in the least likely places...especially Bethlehem.

Until my weekly email,Deaconess Claire

nov/dec voice lmc church chicago

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