"You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them you give life, and the host of heaven worships you." - Nehemiah 9:6
Earth Day immediately followed Easter this year. I find this fitting; Easter is the promise of new life, of renewal, of resurrection in our lives! And Earth Day celebrates the beauty of creation, which in this season is full of the signs of new life.
Earth Day also invites us to consider how we care, or fail to care, for God's creation. People across the globe are reckoning with the fact that the resources of the earth are not limited. Humankind faces increasingly devastating disasters, from floods to droughts to hurricanes. While many of us here in Chicago do not yet feel the immediate impact of climate change, as a church we should be thinking about our role as good stewards of the earth!
This weekend, we will have the opportunity to consider God's creation together during our outdoor ministries event in Jackson Park. We invite you to come out, bring along a friend, and enjoy the many gifts of the natural world. I pray that this will help us connect with our own natural goodness as children of God, as well as move us to take further action to care for our planet. For, as the prophet says in the verse from Nehemiah quoted above, God created this world and all of its inhabitants, so we must treat them with the honor and care they deserve.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Sarah
Jackson Park Birding
ABCMC Outdoor Ministry
When:
Sunday, 28 April 2019, 2 PM – 6 PM, Rain or Shine
What:
Birding, Hiking, Meditation, and Eating Together
Specifics:
Meet at Grove 19 B of Jackson Park, near the Driving range and the Hayes and Lake Shore Drive Lot where paid parking is available. This will be our meeting space.
Dan Lory of the Chicago Ornithological Society will be giving birding tips as we Worship God’s Creation.
3-5 PM Exercise Option
6 mile hike
Those that have the desire and ability will take a 6 mile hike around Jackson Park to include the Statue of the Republic, 63rd Street Beach House, Jackson Park Harbor, the Football Field that may become the home of the future Obama Library, Wooded Island, the Osaka Gardens, Yoko Ono Sculpture, Columbia Basi, and Bobolink Meadows, in Caring for God’s Temple.
3-5 PM Meditation Option
Prayer Exercise
Those that have the desire will gather for exercises in prayer and meditation in Listening to God’s Voice.
5-6 PM
Dinner
The Outdoor Ministry will provide grilled proteins (meat and vegetarian options). Attendees are requested to bring a covered dish (salad, desert, side-dish). And, we will all share in the feasting as we Break Bread Together.
A Word on the importance of outdoor ministry, written by HPUC member Jason Hart: "Outdoor ministry promotes building a stronger relationship with our brothers and sisters outside of church. Outdoors does not discriminate against age or ability and provides a safe way for us to come together and fellowship by breaking bread and listening, hearing and seeing the sights and smell of God around us in nature. We are able to share memories and laughter with our brothers and sisters that otherwise could be impossible because of our busy schedules and our financial ability."
The "It's More than the Potluck" Potluck: Examining the Congregation Through the Lenses of Baptist Theology and Psychodynamic Theory
Thursday, May 9. 6:00pm in the Social Hall
Come listen, learn, and discuss with Pastor Sarah as she presents her thesis work on congregational identity and meaning-making. This is the culmination of her graduate work at the University of Chicago Divinity School and Social Service Administration. The main course for the meal will be provided, but please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
Read the Bible along with Pastor V and Pastor Sarah as we follow the Lectionary Readings each week.
We remember those facing health problems, their loved ones, and caregivers; the friends and family of Craig Krell; Gene Krell, who is back at home and continues to recover from knee replacement surgery; Ingrid who is recovering from surgery; Sabine and Wallace and family on the loss of Wallace's mother, Ella Ruth Jones; Sabine's friend who is suffering with a tumor and Sabine's father who continues to recover from a fall; the Mulberry family; Louise's Son, Fred, as he searches for a job; Larry's brother-in-law, Pastor Sarah's Uncle Randy, who is battling pancreatic cancer; Ingrid's family as they continue to grieve her cousin Angelo Jones; Jay Mulberry's brother Bill, who is now living in a senior citizen's center in New Mexico; and Bernie's sister Katherine who is in a rehabilitation and skilled nursing home after a stroke.
Please note that the memorial service for Craig Krell will be held at HPUC on May 4 at 2:00pm.
The Sri Lankan community in Chicago invites you to participate in a vigil for Sri Lanka on Sunday, April 28th from 6:00 - 7:00pm. The vigil will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 6400 S. Kimbark Avenue. This is a time of remembrance and prayer for all those affected by the horrific events in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
COMING UP AT HPUC
Saturday, April 27
10:00am - 1:00pm Food Pantry
Sunday, April 28
8:30am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:15 am Children's Choir Rehearsal
10:00 am Worship
11:15 am Coffee Hour
2:00 - 6:00 pm Outdoor Ministries: Birding Event at Jackson Park
Monday, April 29
1:00 - 4:00 pm Crawl Space in the Nursery
2:00 pm Snazzy Story Hour in the Nursery
Wednesday, May 1
Bible Study is on hiatus - stay tuned for updates!
Saturday, May 4
10:00am - 1:00pm Food Pantry
2:00pm Memorial Service for Craig Krell
Sunday, May 5
8:30am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:15 am Children's Choir Rehearsal
10:00 am Worship
11:15 am Coffee Hour
2:00pm Pilates (by appointment) at Chaturanga Studios, $5 Suggested donation
Contact Information:
We look forward to meeting everyone. If you would like to have a meeting or pastoral care visit, please contact the church office to make an appointment, or directly contact one of the pastors using the information below.
Click this LINK
or go to our church website at
https://www.hpuc.org/calendar.html
You can add this calendar to your personal calendar by clicking on the "add to Google Calendar" button on the bottom right of the website calendar or sync with iCal on your Apple device by using the calendar address hpunionchurch@gmail.com
Church Office Hours
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday
Friday by appointment
Contact the Church Office
tel: 773-363-6063
email: office@hpuc.org
Have some news to share? Any additions to our prayer list? Send it to Pastor Sarah for publication in an upcoming newsletter! You can email Sarah at slusche@hpuc.org
