Our Church’s 4/1 Earth Total

"Mission 4/1 Earth: 50 Great Days" was about boldly living Jesus' let-your-light-shine proclamation in the Sermon on the Mount: “That they may see your good works!”  It was an opportunity to live out our faith — in unity, as one church — for the sake of our fragile planet Earth.

After tabulation we had worked 385 hours, 27 people planted trees and 29 paper letters were written along with at least 11 emails. Congratulations for your endeavors and keep it up. Our endeavors to help the planet should continue beyond this mission into everyday.

Petunias were planted  around the church sign

as part of the 4/1 Earth project.

We have a lot to celebrate this month! We could start with the beautiful greening of our world and the fact that we do not have 8 inches of snow as our friends to the north and west of do on May Day.

We are in the midst of the season of Easter, which invites us all to ponder the various signs of renewal and resurrection that we see around us. Members and friends are practicing resurrection and new life through various acts on behalf of the earth as part of the United Church of Christ’s Mission: 4/1 Earth.

In a few weeks, we will celebrate Pentecost, the day that we celebrate God’s presence with us through God’s Spirit. Sometimes, we call this Spirit the “Holy Spirit.” Some of us, of certain ages or of certain faith backgrounds, call this Spirit the “Holy Ghost.” Often people think of the Day of Pentecost as the birthday of the church, because we observe it as the day that the disciples of Jesus, without the physical presence of Jesus, became transformed with God’s ongoing presence with them through the presence of God’s Spirit. With the Spirit of God enabling and encouraging them, the disciples transformed the world. And disciples of Jesus Christ, continue to transform the world.

So as we contemplate where the Spirit of God might be leading us as a faith community, and as we reflect upon how the Spirit might be enlivening our lives as disciples, let’s join in celebration as three of our youth either make or affirm their baptismal vows to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. On Pentecost, Dylan Henderson, Mackenzie Prewitt and Lucas Bohlmann will be taking this next step on their life-long journey with God.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will animate their lives and our.

Peace,

Pastor Lynn

Illinois Conference Annual Celebration June 14-15, 2013

Save this date for the 2013 Illinois Conference Annual Celebration and watch for more information.

The celebration will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, 1909 Spring Road, Oakbrook IL, 60523.

The theme this year is “Changing Lives: Transforming Lives” and the keynote speaker will be Diana butler Bass.

Diana is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture. She has taught in several college and Seminary settings and continues to challenge our thinking and understanding of “church” in a new age!

The musical leadership will be lead by Andra Moran, who chased a dream to Nashville, and found there a collection of super creative people, who share their passions, hopes and art in all forms.

Cookies are needed for the celebration. Sugar free, gluten free, peanut free, and regular cookies are all being requested. Remember to bring them in clearly labeled, disposable containers. For More Information Contact: Naomi Else, (708) 344-4470 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it