WCC Messenger, March 25, 2017

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March 25, 2017

Hello, <<Parent/Guardian First Name:>>

In this Issue:

Islam Without Extremes...
Pray for the Servants
W oman's Society events
Designer Sale
Easter Flower Form
Holy Week at WCC
A "Purse" for the Rev. Bill
Spring Cleaning at WCC
Canvass Update
Volunteer at A Just Harvest
Adult Enrichment

Nominate for Helms award
40 Days-40 Items
C ounseling Center
Membership Orientation | May 7
A Just Harvest
Wish Them a Happy Birthday
Prayer List
Parish Calendar
Contact Your Pastors
WCC Staff

As our congregation seeks to grow more closely “together”—with God, within our congregation, and with our sisters and brothers of the world—interfaith understanding and interfaith relations continue to play an integral part. In that spirit, we are excited to announce that Winnetka Congregational Church will host author and speaker Mustafa Akyol on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 P.M. in the Winnetka Congregational Church sanctuary. Mr. Akyol will speak first and then engage the audience’s questions.

Mustafa Akyol is a regular columnist for The New York Times: International Edition and a speaker followed by the moderate Muslim community. Mr. Akyol is the author of "Islam Without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty", which was long-listed for the 2012 Lionel Gelber prize, a literary award for the world's best non-fiction book in English. Recently, Mr. Akyol published "The Islamic Jesus: How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet of the Muslims". When Reza Aslan's bestseller "Zealot" came out in 2013 (Reza Aslan was our guest author/speaker in 2013), there was criticism that Mr. Alsan had not addressed his Muslim faith while writing the origin story of Christianity. In fact, Ross Douthat of The New York Times wrote that "if Aslan had actually written in defense of the Islamic view of Jesus, that would have been something provocative and new." Mustafa Akyol's "The Islamic Jesus" is that book.

Mr. Akyol’s TEDx Warwick talk, entitled Faith vs Tradition in Islam, is available here.

Mr. Akyol’s TEDx Warwick talk, entitled Faith vs Tradition in Islam, is available here.

Special thanks to our Adult Enrichment Co-Leader, Pete McNerney, who has made Mr. Akyol’s visit possible.

© 2017 The New York Times
Interfaith Healer: The Surprising Role of Jesus in Islam
By LESLEY HAZLETON | MARCH 3, 2017

Woman’s Society “Let’s Do Lunch!”
Wednesday, April 5, 2017

The Floured Apron: Sweetening Life’s Possibilities Program at 11:00 A.M. in the Centennial Room
Luncheon at Noon in Tolman Hall

Our April program will be a presentation by Lauren LeBoyer titled, “The Floured Apron: Sweetening Life’s Possibilities.” WCC is pleased to provide weekly access to our kitchen so that this non-profit agency can continue to perform its mission. The Floured Apron helps women rise to their potential by providing mentoring, life skills, and food service training to low income women — empowering them to achieve economic stability through career paths in the restaurant, food service or baking industries. Women in the program are paired with local women from the community who have volunteered to mentor and support them in stabilizing their lives and becoming self-sufficient.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend to learn about this remarkable program supported by our church. Please make luncheon reservations by Monday, April 3, by calling Lois-Eve Anderson at 847-272-7107 or email her. Luncheon cost is $15. Also indicate whether you will attend the 11:00 talk.

On Easter Sunday, our Sanctuary is graced with dozens of Easter plants which have been provided by members and friends at a suggested donation of $40. If you would like to give a plant this year in memory or in honor of a loved one, please send this form with a check to the church office. Please respond by Tuesday, April 4, to be acknowledged in the Easter Bulletin.

Holy Week at WCC

Sunday, April 9 - Palm Sunday Worship at 10 A.M. (Sanctuary)

Thursday, April 13 - Maundy Thursday Worship at 7 P.M. (Sanctuary)

Friday, April 14 - Good Friday Worship at 12-noon (Sanctuary)

Sunday, April 16 - Easter CELEBRATION
       6 A.M. - Sunrise Worship Service (indoors if rain)
       9 A.M. - Worship Service (with Brass Quartet and Choir)
       11 A.M. - Worship Service (with Brass Quartet and Choir)

Easter Egg Hunt immediately after BOTH the 9 and the 11 services.

A "Purse" and Reception for Bill - Save the Dates!

As we prepare for Bill’s retirement from WCC, we are taking steps to say a heartfelt thank you and goodbye. On Saturday evening, April 29, Bill and Judi will be feted at a farewell reception at WCC. We will provide additional information as the planning committee firms up the evening details. In addition, it is part of our tradition to also offer our ministers the gift of a "purse" – a collection of donations from members of the congregation as but one expression of our deep gratitude.

If you would like to contribute, please send a check to our Bookkeeper, Doug Coulter at WCC with Bill’s “purse” in the memo line by April 23. Bill and Judi plan to move to North Carolina, and we know this "purse" will go a long way in helping them to settle into their new home. Questions may be directed to Jeanne Ebersole.

Spring Cleaning at WCC:

Just as we do in our own homes, WCC is preparing for a long-overdue "Spring Cleaning" in early June. As part of this process, we will be cleaning out some of the storage areas that have accumulated items that may no longer be used/needed. Please make certain that if your committee/ministry group uses items stored on Church Property, that they are clearly labeled and organized. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this effort or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Christy Shellenbarger or Lloyd Culbertson.

As of March 16, 2017

Total pledges received: 193
$ Amount received: $909,575
Goal: $1,050,000
% of Goal: 87%
Balance of goal: $140,425

In response to God's graciousness as lived out in the mission and ministry of Winnetka Congregational Church, I/we offer this pledge to financially support the facilities, staff, and outreach. Click to Pledge.

If you are interested in serving dinner at A Just Harvest the first Monday of any month, please contact Laurie Morse at 847-835-4123.

Adult Enrichment

You are invited to participate in a Wednesday evening, April 5 event facilitated by our Council’s Vice Chair, Fred Gougler, on the late Henri Nouwen’s classic book on forgiveness, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming.

Books available for $10. Contact our Adult Enrichment Liaison, Rev. William Mueller at 441-3400, ext.23. Join us in the Centennial Room from 7:00-8:30 P.M.

Nominations for Wilfred Helms award are being accepted. The award honors members for their outstanding service to WCC over the past year. Members are selected by Council during the April council meeting. If you have a candidate please contact any council member or Christy Shellenbarger (emial) or at 847-832-1318.

WCC Rummage has a challenge for you!

Each day of Lent, remove one item from a closet or a shelf that you no longer wear or need and put it into the black bag provided. At the end of the forty days, donate these items to WCC Rummage so that they can be shared with someone who can really use them and raise funds for Woman’s Society Benevolence which supports over 40 area 501 (c)(3) non-profits each year. Visit our website for more information about the mission of WCC Rummage.

Are you interested in membership at WCC? Would you like to know more about the church, its history and role in the community?
If you have questions about membership or are interested in learning more, please contact: Carrie Alt or Brad McLane.
The New Member Orientations is scheduled for May 7th.

MARCH
26: Peter Cosyns, Harry Grace, Grace Funke
27: Bob Anderson, Wendy Sherman, Steven Chadwick
28: Heather Crimmins, Ingrid Jansson, Sara Kirkpatrick
29: Mugs Klapperich
30: Bill Moeller, Dawn Huntsman, Mark Dziersk, Maggie McGregor, Eric Underwood, Pete Shellenbarger
31: Michael McNerney, Nelson Geraghty
April 2017
1: Bill Downe, Kay Benson, Michael Jakob
2: Paul Allen
3: Tallie Steiner

PRAYER LIST

Please keep in mind we update our online Prayer List every Thursday. Each week we email a PRAYER LIST to those among our members who request such a list to know about who to be praying for and with. Our Monday afternoon Prayer Group uses the list to hold these persons listed on the Prayer List in their prayers.You too can pray with and for those persons listed by requesting to add your name to the e-blast Prayer List. Contact the Rev. William Mueller at 441-3400, ext.23.

PARISH CALENDAR

Saturday, March 25
Mission Trip Starts

Sunday, March 26 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
9:00 AM	Adult Enrichment: CR
10:00 AM	Worship: S
11:00 AM	Fellowship: TFH
11:30 AM	WCC Singers: MR

Monday, March 27
3:30 PM	Prayer Group: CL
7:00 PM	Floured Apron Board Meeting: TFH

Tuesday, March 28
6:30 PM	Executive Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 29
9:30 AM	Women of Note: MR
7:00 PM	Adult Enrichment Lenten Study: CR

Thursday, March 30
9:00 AM	AA: TFH
7:00 PM	Chancel Choir Rehearsal: MR

Friday, March 31
9:00 AM	Women’s Bible Study: CR

Sunday, April 2
9:00 AM	Adult Enrichment: CR
10:00 AM	Worship: S
10:15 AM	NO Church School: EW
11:00 AM	Fellowship: TFH
11:30 AM	WCC Singers: MR
4:45 PM	Cherub Choir & Alleluia Singers: MR
5:30 PM	Youth Musical Rehearsal: S

Monday, April 3
3:30 PM	Prayer Group: CL
4:45 PM	A Just Harvest
7:00 PM	Floured Apron Board Meeting: TFH

Tuesday, April 4
7:00 PM	NAMI - Balance for Success: LL2

Wednesday, April 5
9:30 AM	Women of Note: MR
11:00 AM	WS Program - The Floured Apron: CR
12:00 PM	WS Luncheon: TFH
7:00 PM	Adult Enrichment Lenten Study: CR

Thursday, April 6
9:00 AM	AA: TFH
6:15 PM	Bell Choir: Jr.K Rm
7:00 PM	Adult Enrichment-Mustafa Akyol: S
7:00 PM	Chancel Choir Rehearsal: MR
7:00 PM	Ladies Euchre night: CR

AMP - Amphitheater
AC - Alsdorf Center
CR - Centennial Room
CL - Conference Library
EW - Education Wing
JK - Jr. Kindergarten
L - Library
LC - Little Chapel
LL - Lower Level (Youth Rooms)
MR - Music Room
NN - New Narthex
S - Sanctuary
TFH - Tolman Fellowship Hall
WS - Woman's Society

Dawn Huntsman
Administrative Assistant
847.441.3400, ext. 10

The Rev. Jeffrey D. Braun
Senior Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 16

The Rev. Sarah Walker Cleaveland
Associate Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 15

The Rev. Dr. William A. Mueller
Associate Pastor
847.441.3400, ext. 23

Dr. Robert A. Harris
Director of Music/Choirmaster
847.441.3400, ext. 19

Elaine Clemens
Director of Children’s Music Organist
847.441.3400, ext. 19

Cecelia J. Blue
Director of Christian Education
847.441.3400, ext. 17

Waldek A. Ziolkowski
Publisher
847.441.3400, ext. 27

Lloyd H Culbertson
Office & Facilities Manager
847.441.3400, ext. 12

Ray Koch, Chief Sexton
847.441.3400, ext. 21

Mark Dudek, Sexton
847.441.3400, ext. 21

Doug Coulter, Accountant
847.441.3400, ext. 13

Paul Allen, Pastor Emeritus
Joseph A. Shank, Pastor Emeritus

Phone: 847.441.3400

Pastoral Care
A reminder: When you or a loved one is admitted to a hospital or other health care facility, please let your pastors know by phone or email. Due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), such organizations are prohibited from providing confidential information to anyone, including clergy. Contact any of us at 441-3400 or via our emails (images are linked)

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