“Love God. Love Others.

Love the World.”

~Mission Statement~

With Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord,

our mission is to glorify God and expand His Kingdom

by leading people to become devoted followers

of Christ. _____________________

~Vision Statement~

To be a loving and inviting

Christian Fellowship, growing in faith through

the Grace of Jesus Christ, seeking to transform lives in our diverse community

and beyond through teaching,

worship, evangelism and service.

820 Ontario . Oak Park, IL 60302 . 708/848-4070 firstbaptist820@sbcglobal.net

www.fbcoakpark.org Rev. Dr. David John Hailey, Pastor

Dr. Harry L. Parker, Pastor Emeritus —Wednesdays— —Sundays— 5:45 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Worship Service

HAILEY’S COMMENT “Thin Places” Last month Claire and I traveled to Ireland and Scotland with parents, sister, and brother-in-law. Throughout the 13-day trip, we walked over 100 miles, rode numerous ferries, played seven rounds of golf, visited museums and historic structures, and explored remote areas of Scotland. It was a trip of a lifetime!

My favorite stop along the journey was on the Isle of Iona. Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, and it’s known as a place of spiritual renewal and

retreat. George Macleod, the founder of the Iona Community, said: “Iona is a thin place where only tissue paper separates the material from the spiritual.” During my two days on Iona, I found truth in Macleod’s words. I traveled the beautiful terrain, played golf on a course managed only by sheep and cattle, and worshipped alongside others on pilgrimage to the sacred island in the historic Iona Abbey. We ended our first evening at the Iona Abbey, which dates back to the 9th century, for a Service of Peace and Justice. During the service, we read scripture, sang hymns, and prayed that we might be individuals who bring peace and justice into the communities around us. Hearing people from all over the world

October 2019 Tower Tidings

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reading responsively, sing in harmony, and pray collectively was such a poignant reminder to me of God’s work across the globe. On the second evening, we gathered once again in the Abbey for a Service of Healing. Similarly to the first night, we read scripture, sang hymns, and prayed, but, unlike the first night, this service focused on the needs of specific people in the world who are suffering. The worship leaders read countless names of people aloud as we prayed together. These names were written and left at the Abbey by people on pilgrimage during the previous week. At the end of the prayer time, the congregation was invited to share names of people in need of prayer. I lifted in prayer our friends Harry Parker and Mike Feuerabend. Iona was a mountaintop experience for me. But, as we all know from the Transfiguration, one can’t stay on the mountain forever. Instead, we must come down from the mountain and get back to doing the things Christ instructs us to do. So, I’m glad to be home and to get back to work here at First Baptist. However, I’m not going to forget the moments I spent at Iona. Instead, I’m going to return to those moments over and over in my ministry to First Baptist. Don’t be surprised if I invite you to journey there with me as we endeavor to make First Baptist a “thin place” in the Oak Park community.

We rejoiced on Sunday, September 15 as Brian and Amy Aubry brought

Elise Joy Aubry to be dedicated to the Lord.

Dr. Hailey officiated at the morning service, with Elise’s family in attendance.

Welcome to your church family, Elise!

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2019 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

VOLUNTEER CAMPAIGN

We have exceeded our goal of 700 Community Involvement Volunteer hours from April 1-September 30, 2019 with 1,083.50 hours! The following are the individuals who contributed volunteer time to many organizations:

Elsa Anaya (Church Garage Sale) Henry Anaya (Church Garage Sale) Josephine Barnes (Church Garage Sale) Barbara Branch (Church Garage Sale) Elise Branch (Church Garage Sale) Karen Borgstadt (Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Church Garage Sale) Stephanie Cole (Church Garage Sale, Chicago Food

Depository) Mattie Dickerson (Church Garage Sale, Chicago

Food Depository) Dave Diman (Brookfield Zoo) Mary Lee Eneberg (Church Garage Sale) Lindsey Feuerabend (Church Garage Sale) Mike Feuerabend (VA Food Pantry, Church Garage

Sale)

Brent Friesen (CROP Walk, Chicago Food

Depository, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry, Church Garage Sale) Judy Friesen (Church Garage Sale) Keith Gavard (Church Garage Sale)

Norma Gavard (Church Garage Sale)

David John Hailey (First Baptist Preschool & Kindergarten)

Bonnie Heidorn (Church Garage Sale)

Nancy Hogan (Chicago Food Depository, Church

Garage Sale)

Renée Hubbard (Bible Study Fellowship, Chicago

Food Depository, Church Garage Sale)

Lynne Johnson (Church Garage Sale)

Barbara Lanier (Church Garage Sale)

Andrea LeFlore (ReVive Center for Housing and

Healing, Facing Forward to End Homelessness World Café, Chicago Street Medicine, PADS Lombard)

Ivy Lloyd (Church Garage Sale, Chicago Food

Depository) Marge Lyons (Church Garage Sale)

Liz McDonald (Church Garage Sale)

Olivia Mullins (Church Garage Sale) Sharon Mullins (Chicago Food Depository, Church

Garage Sale)

Craig Nelson (Church Garage Sale)

Jan Nelson (First Baptist Preschool & Kindergarten, Church Garage Sale)

Nancy O’Toole (Church Garage Sale)

Linda Parker (Church Garage Sale)

Pat Parsons (Chicago Food Depository)

Bertha Peterson (Church Garage Sale) Marvin Pope (First Baptist Preschool & Kindergarten)

Mithun Roy (Church Garage Sale) Monroe Saffold (Church Garage Sale)

Pat Saffold (Church Garage Sale)

Timm Schuler (Church Garage Sale)

Michael Shields (Chicago Food Depository)

Susan Shields (CROP Walk, Chicago Food

Depository)

Elaine Tuber (Church Garage Sale)

Ron Van Doren (Chicago Food Depository)

Cheryl Verville (Ten Thousand Villages, Church

Garage Sale)

Dennis Verville (Church Garage Sale)

Mickie Walker (Church Garage Sale, Chicago Food Depository)

Linzy Waters (First Baptist Preschool &

Kindergarten, Frank Lloyd Wright Walk, Chicago Food Depository, Church Garage Sale) Perla Londres Waters (Frank Lloyd Wright Walk, Church Garage Sale)

Jackie Williams (Church Garage Sale)

Lynne Williams (OPRF Infant Welfare Society,

Animal Care League, PCC Community Wellness, Aid For Women) Priscilla Williams (Church Garage Sale)

SAVE THE DATE—GREETERS & USHERS

Immediately following the worship service on Sunday, October 13, 2019, our Greeters and Ushers are requested to meet in the church dining room. Materials for study and discussion will be distributed ahead of time. A light lunch will be served. Please plan on at least one hour. We are looking forward to getting our groups together to talk about our roles in the Welcome Ministry of First Baptist. For more information or questions, contact Beth Bruner or Perla Londres Waters.

—Perla Londres Waters

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2019 CHURCH PICNIC!

HINDU WORLD PRAYER FOCUS

The Service Team will be leading a Hindu World Prayer Focus during 15 days: October 20—November 3, to learn about and pray for over one billion Hindu people. This time period also encompasses the significant Hindu Festival of Light (Diwali). The informative prayer guide booklets guide Christians to know how to pray for the peoples growing up within this major and very diverse world religion. Diwali is known as the Hindu Festival of Lights, and is one of India’s most important annual celebrations. As Christians, we long that all the world's peoples will have an opportunity to freely see, hear and understand the grace of God incarnated in Jesus Christ. To this end we inform ourselves, pray for, and want to support respectful efforts to make that grace known within the world's Indian and Hindu communities. Please see Brent Friesen for a prayer guide.

Although the picnic had to be moved inside due to uncertain weather, about 80 members of our church family had a great time! Who made the

dish “that was like barbecue bean salad or baked beans?” Give us the recipe!

AUGUST FINANCIAL REPORT

Offerings 22,913.00 Monthly Budget -27,783.00 Difference (under budget) -4,870.00 Offerings through August 248,219.50 Offerings budgeted through August 305,613.00 Difference year to date (under budget) -57,393.50 Total August Income 39,233.21 Total August Expenses 38,511.73 Difference (under budget) -721.48 Total expenses through August excluding Nehemiah 463,157.97 Budgeted through August 477,799.00 Difference (under budget) 14,641.03 Nehemiah Project August beginning balance 33,506.13 August Income 480 August Expenses Total 33,986.13

Ministry Support Team Karen Borgstadt, Chair;

Keith Gavard, Curtis Helwig, Don Mullins, Djuana O’Connor, Paul Sengpiehl, Lynne Williams

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Connie Stone. The hospitality that Connie provides during this annual gathering is something that members look forward to all year. Thanks to the Stones for opening their home to us.

Sarah Circle will resume their regular second Monday of the month evening meetings on October 14th. The meeting will be held in the Church’s Dining Room at 7:30 p.m. Elaine Feuerabend will bring the program; refreshments will be served

Please contact Perla or Elaine to indicate that you will be attending the fellowship.

—Perla Londres Waters

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Pat gave a thorough review of Confidentiality—the cornerstone of the caring relationship between Care Receivers and Care Givers. One of the key areas where confidentiality needs to be protected is in how communication is handled, and Telecare, facilitated by Linzy, covered the challenges posed by use of the telephone, especially the cordless phones and cell phones, when a face-to-face visit is not feasible; written information which can be conveyed via personal notes, forms and documents; and electronic media, which has attained a greater popularity in use.

The case studies, practiced via role plays, were a great way to drive home the key elements of the training. The next CE session is planned for January, 2020.

—Perla Londres Waters

SARAH CIRCLE

Sarah Circle opened their 2019-2020 season with a brunch meeting at the home of

Sarah

OCTOBER

2019

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

October Birthdays (When is your birthday?)

6

15. Lauren Slaughter 23. Olivia Mullins 24. Neil Lane 25. Liz McDonald 27. Rob McGehee 29. Linzy Waters

13 9am FB Matthew Studies 10:30am FB Worship 11:30am Ushers & Greeters Mtg. 11:45am Adult Bible Study

20 9am FB Matthew Studies 9:30am Evangelism Team 9:45am Preschool Board 10:30am FB Worship 11:45am Adult Bible Study

27 9am FB Matthew Studies 10:30am FB Worship 11:45am Adult Bible Study

14 7:30pm Sarah Circle

21

28 12noon Tower Tidings Deadline

8

15 5:30pm Property Committee 7pm Ministry Support Team

22

29

9 8am Men’s Breakfast 5:45pm Handbells 7pm FB Choir

16 5:45pm Handbells 7pm FB Choir

23 5:45pm Handbells 7pm FB Choir

3 7pm Al Anon

10 7pm Al Anon

17 7pm Al Anon

24 7pm Al Anon

4

11

18 7:30pm GS Jazz Service

25

5 12noon Sharing Seniors’ Lunch 5:45pm Cook County Jail Ministry Outing

12

19

9am All Teams Meeting

26 10am Saturday Book Club

30 5:45pm Handbells 7pm FB Choir

1 6:30pm Education Team 7pm Service Team

2 5:45pm Handbells 7pm FB Choir

29. Rachel (Parker) Farrell

31. Andrea LeFlore

1. Jeremy Gavard Bruce Benshaw Michael Samec 8. Erika Shorney 9. Lauren Salter 10. Paul Sengpiehl

6 9am FB Matthew Studies 10:30am FB Worship

7

7pm Spiritual Life & Worship Team

Sunday Morning Schedule

9:00 a.m. Matthew Studies Class 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship

10:45 a.m. Kids Kingdom

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Halloween 31

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Shuttle Service Sundays—Free parking and shuttle service is available on Sundays at the North Blvd. Parking Garage, east of Oak Park Ave. The bus will pick you up at the elevator lobby.

Cemetery Plots Available—The church has cemetery plots available at a reduced cost at nearby cemeteries. Please contact the church office for more information.

CHURCH STAFF Dr. David John Hailey, Pastor Monroe Saffold, Welcome Minister Joel Raney, Minister of Music Barbara Branch, Director, Preschool & Kindergarten Mary Lee Eneberg, Office Administrator Elaine Feuerabend, Financial Secretary/Stephen Ministry Referrals Eric Hogan, Building Manager Ricardo Zela, Sexton

—Prayer Concerns—

Ron Van Doren’s son is in need of prayer. His son is going through several trials and tribulations in his life. Prayers are requested for Art & Jackie Skwerski. They have been dealing with health challenges for some time but the situation has become more grave. Prayers are requested and visits, calls, cards, and other manifestations of support are welcome and much appreciated. Ralph Heinrichs appreciates all the prayers as support as he discusses his next treatments with his doctors.

—Congratulations!— Congratulations to Andrea LeFlore who recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Andrea has a new role as a Clinical Instructor at UIC. Congratulations to Dr. Harry L. Parker on the publication of his book Journey to Wholeness: The Path to God and Your True Self. Pastor Parker’s website is http://journeytowholenessbook.com.

—In Our Church Family— We rejoiced on Sunday, September 15 as Amy and Brian Aubry brought Elise Joy Aubry to be dedicated to the

Lord. David John presented Elise to her church family during the morning worship service.

David John has been accepted as a member of the Chicago Choral Artists. Their fall presentation is Considering Matthew Shepard Oct. 11-13, 2019. Grace Lutheran Church,7300 Division, River Forest, IL. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Adult: $45, Senior: $40, Student: $25. Call 773-658-9799 or visit www.chicagochoralartists.org.

The Sharing Seniors Lunch will be held on Saturday, October 6 at 12:00 noon in the church dining room. Mithun Roy will be presenting a program on Poland. Please bring a dish to pass! On October 26th, (NOTE THE DATE) the 2nd Saturday Book Club will be discussing Journey to Wholeness: The Path to God and Your True Self by Dr. Harry Parker. Dr. Parker will be there to lead the discussion. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor. Dr. Parker’s website Journey to Wholeness is up: url: http://journeytowholenessbook.com Church Transportation—The church has a wheelchair van. Those who need a ride to church on Sundays may call Brent Friesen at 708/745-2187.

2018-2019 CHAIRS/LEADERS Michael Feuerabend, Leadership Team Chair Cheryl Verville, Leadership Team Vice-Chair Yvonne Coffer, Church Clerk Lee McDonald, Treasurer Michael Shields, Education Team Chair Robert Ansani, Evangelism Team Chair Karen Borgstadt, Ministry Support Team Chair Jan Nelson, Preschool & Kindergarten Board Chair Brent Friesen, Service Team Chair Judy Friesen, Spiritual Life & Worship Team Chair Kathy Ogundipe, Sunday School Superintendent

GREETERS Oct. 6: Djuana O’Connor (E);

Oct. 13: Beth Bruner (E); Mattie Dickerson, Mattie Peals, &

Mickey Walker (W) Oct. 20: Jeff Skemp (E);

Oct. 27: Rob McGehee (E);

NURSERY WORKERS

Oct. 6: Dorothy O’Connor & Beth Bruner

Oct. 13: Dorothy O’Connor & Van Doren Family

Oct. 20: Dorothy O’Connor & Miles Lee

Oct. 27: Dorothy O’Connor & Nancy Hogan

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MARVIN POPE’S POUND CAKE (A.K.A. Southern Cream Cheese Pound Cake) 1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 cups granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 6 whole eggs, room temperatures • Preheat oven to 325º. Grease and flour 10" Bundt pan; set aside. Crack eggs

into a two-cup measuring cup; set aside. • In the bowl of a stand mix using the paddle attachment cream butter and

cream cheese on medium speed; scrape down sides of the bowl. • Add sugar one cup at a time and beat until light and fluffy; about three

minutes; scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs one at a time beating after each one. Add vanilla mix thoroughly.

• Mix flour and salt. Add to sugar and egg mixture one cup at a time being careful not to overmix. If there are flecks of flour showing that is ok.

• Remove bowl from mixer; scrape the sides with rub-ber spatula and stir cake batter one last time.

• Pour cake batter into pan. Bake one hour and 30 minutes. I check for doneness at one hour and 25 minutes and bake for five minutes if necessary.

Getting ready for Fall with

decorations by Elaine Tuber Feuerabend, garden clean

up by our anonymous gardener!

WORSHIP LEADERS Oct. 6: Chuck Courtney

Oct. 13: Mattie Dickerson Oct. 20: Perla Londres Waters

Oct. 27: Helen Robinson

USHERS Regular Ushers: Marvin Pope, Charlie Robinson, Linzy Waters,

Perla Londres Waters Oct. 6: Nancy Feehan &

Fred Grandison Oct. 13: Elsa Anaya &

Chuck Courtney Oct. 20: Nancy Hogan

& Jackie Williams Oct. 27: Liz McDonald,

Mattie Peals & Robert Ansani