Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As we’ve concluded our Path to Discipleship series, we wanted to take a week before Advent starts to reflect on the theme of thanksgiving. This Sunday, I will be preaching from Psalm 111 on the idea that thanksgiving continues the dance of relationships.
Whenever you think about thanking someone or preparing a gift for them, how does your attitude toward them change? Whenever you receive thanks or a gift, what emotions well up in you? We have a phrase called the “debt of gratitude” to convey some idea that, though it isn’t required of us, giving thanks draws us toward someone and receiving thanks draws us toward them, too. The Lord’s actions on our behalf in both providence and salvation draw us toward praise for His great mercy toward us, continuing a warm relationship with Him as His dear people. As you prepare for worship this Sunday, think on some of the gifts that the Lord has given to you individually.
Click here to access the livestream for Sunday’s service (9:30am).
Prayer at the Austins: Time Change for 11/22 to 4pm
During the month of November, the Austins will host prayer nights at their house (880 Main Street, West Chicago, IL 60185) on Saturday evenings. This Saturday (11/22) will begin at 4pm. Light refreshments will be provided. This is a time for us as a congregation to come together to pray for each other, for our community, and for spiritual renewal in our world.
Update: Bible Studies will not be meeting the week of Thanksgiving.
Advent Set Up: Sunday, Nov 23, 12:30 pm-4:00 pm
Come help set up for the Advent season. A meal will be provided before we transform our church with lights, wreaths, and decorations that depict our Advent theme. Please text/call Katie Wetherington so she has a head count for the food
order.
Advent Choir Rehearsal: MONDAY, Nov 24, at 6:30 pm
Our Advent season begins with our choir singing on Nov. 30. If you would like to join the choir and sing, rehearsal for Advent is on Monday, Nov 24, at 6:30 pm.
Advent Devotionals: Available in the Narthex
Our Advent Devotional, A Wondrous Mystery by Charles Spurgeon, will be available in the narthex beginning this Sunday. A suggested donation is $4.
Prayer Drive: November 30th during Sunday School
On November 30th, in lieu of adult Sunday School, we will have a prayer drive around West Chicago to pray for our community as the holiday season approaches. Lawrence Owinya will be leading that time for us. More information to follow.
Financial Giving to Rossweldy (Kids Alive)
Our church sponsors Rossweldy, a 5th grader who attends Anija School with Kids Alive in the Dominican Republic. If you would like to donate funds toward her sponsorship, money jars are available in the narthex and rooms 3/4, 5, and 6.
Alcove Purpose and Progress
If you’ve been by the Mission Center recently, you’ll notice that we’ve remodeled part of the lobby just outside of it. This alcove is part of our Flourish Campaign to offer an intermediate meeting space between the Worship Center, the Mission Center, and our classrooms. Enjoy!
Food Assistance
The elders of our church are aware of the current situation regarding SNAP benefits in Illinois, and we want to encourage anyone in our congregation to get in touch with either an elder or deacon if you need food assistance.
Prayer Requests and Praises
Liz and Wes Davenport: Welcomed a new granddaughter on Thursday, 11/13, Ruth Brown Davenport. Pray for Andrew and Kayla as they parent their new daughter.
Dan Carlson (Son-in-law of Ernie and Donna Siefert): Please pray for full healing for Dan who was hospitalized for Ketoacidosis; he is now at home recovering.
Serena Family: Pray for the healing of Peter and Peggy Serena’s 4-year-old grandson, Joseph, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia.
Lori Fichter: Pray that the Lord would comfort Lori and her family after the passing of her husband, Gregory Fichter.
Gale Muzzy: Pray for Dan and Katie’s nephew Gale who has Lyme disease; Gale is improving though prayers are still needed.
Shane Sterk and Family: Please pray for Shane Sterk and his family; Vern Sterk, Shane’s father, went to be with the Lord on October 25.
With gratitude,
Jonathan Keller