June 2007
Download a Copy for your Self June 2007

    

   Last month I mentioned that I will be addressing five really important Christian beliefs over the course of the next few months using this part of the Chimes for my forum.  

  This month I will address what is commonly known as unconditional election. Say what? This can best be understood by the story Steve Brown tells. “When you first came to Christ, you took the first step. Right? Then God took the second step. By the time you got to the third step you realized it was God who took the first step.” 

   All this has to with who gets the credit for your new life in Christ. Do you get the credit or does God? If you don’t have a new life in Christ, then the question is not in the least bit relevant. If you do, read on.  

   Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you…”(John 15:16).  

   The Apostle Paul sums this up in great detail. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the beloved”(Eph 1:3-6). 

   Have you ever thought about God choosing you before the foundation of the world? Have you thought that as a result of His choosing you, you have faith? For many years, I took the credit for my faith. I was like the proverbial man in Steve Brown’s story. I thought that I had taken the first step. My decision to follow Christ was a big thing. It was only later that I realized that it was God who was at work in my life long before I was aware of His presence. Maybe His decision to choose me is larger than my decision to follow Him.  

   Unconditional election is God choosing you without any preconditions. You didn’t have to clean up your nasty, little life first. You didn’t have to say you were sorry to 50 different people first. It is because of His choosing you that you can clean your life up. It is because of His choosing you that you can say you are sorry.  

   Think of the unconditional surrender aboard the USS Missouri that brought an end to World War II.  Unconditional meant with no conditions attached, either foreseen or otherwise.   

   Unconditional election is God’s choice of the Christian before there is faith, no conditions attached. Only because of this election is faith possible. Some refer to this as predestination. Almost every church has developed some form of the predestination simply because the Bible teaches predestination. Martin Luther and John Calvin wrote extensively on predestination along with other “church fathers” – Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.    

   The problem with predestination for most folks is that it smells like fatalism. Fatalism means everything is preset, predetermined, so why even try? Fatalism makes God to be the author of evil. You can’t say the Bible teaches that it is God’s will that 30,000 children on planet earth die of disease and poverty everyday. If that is God’s will then my response is that your God becomes my Devil.  

   A Biblical view of predestination presents God as the author of life. Yes, He is great. Yes, He is good.  

   One might ask oneself, “Why did I come to faith and my friends did not?” “Why did I come to faith and my sister or brother did not?”  “If God predestines some to faith, does that mean He predestines some to be without faith?”  “Are some predestined to God’s wrath?” Those are troubling questions that most of prefer to avoid.  

   We know that God is love and that God is justice. Without a doubt the Bible teaches this. We know the Bible teaches the wages of sin is death and that all have fallen short of the glory of God. Not one person deserves eternal life.  

   It is only because of God’s grace and God’s mercy that anyone has hope. For the sinner to get what he deserves is justice, not injustice. Because God is pleased to grant mercy to one does not mean that the rest “deserve” the same. If mercy is deserved, it is not really mercy. Does that make sense?  

   I do not understand why the Lord extended mercy and grace to me. I only know He did. Am I more intelligent than others? Certainly not. Am I more handsome than others? Certainly not. Is there anything about me that would warrant God’s choice of me over anyone else. Certainly not. If so, it would not be grace. If so, it would not be mercy.  

   You …… think about that. Hope to see ya Sunday.

                                            Pastor Curry

 

PULPIT FORECAST

"To regularly avail oneself to the public exposition of the Holy Scriptures is one of the highest and holiest habits one can ever attain in this life."

    Remember my message series last summer? It would be interesting to poll that question.

    Throughout the hot months, I spoke from the book of Psalms, coming at it from three different angles. I also encouraged the Christian Life Groups to use the same chapters from Psalms for their discussions.

 

   This summer I would like to put a different part of the Bible under the microscope – Paul’s letters to the Christians at Corinth (I & II Corinthians). Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz wrote and excellent study guide for those two letters. The Christian Life Groups will be using the guide and I also will be consulting it as I do sermon preparation.

 

   “Finding Your Unique Place in God’s Plan” is the summer theme. Bring your Bible each Sunday and begin your week in the Word.    

 

JUNE MESSAGES

 

 3rd   “Water in the Desert” is the title of the message taken from Acts 18:8-11. We will also serve Holy Communion and observe Promotion Sunday.

 

1Oth  “Thinking God Thoughts” is the message title using I Corinthians 2:6-16. We will have worship at the summer schedule time of 9:30 A.M.

 17th  “Father Knows Best” is the message title taken from I Corinthians 4:14-21. Fathers will be recognized during the service. 

 24th  Rev. Spark Ball from Love I.N.C. will bring the message as Pastor Curry will be with the youth at Faith Camp.

NEW BUILDING UPDATE

The Building Committee (Katie Margison, Jim Lyons, Roy Mauck, Mae Backovitch, Joe Martin, Jim Pillars, and Anne Lyons) is working hard to get the new entrance finished now that the doors are installed. They are asking for our patience. They know we have several people who need the lift platform.

            Thanks to all who contributed this past month.

Our building fund contributions for April totalled $1,588.28! We continue to trust the Lord month by month.

We are hopeful that in the coming year the funds to finish the inside of the building will come.

 

ON THE RADIO EVERY SUNDAY 98.3

      Know of a shut-in who might enjoy our service? Make sure to have them tune in every Sunday.  At the end of each service, Calie Lyons and Jim Pillars make a fast trip to the radio station to be on the air at 12:00 noon.  People who live out of the area can tune in on the internet by visiting www.wrlr.fm . Look to the left side of the page and click on “on-air audio stream”.

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NEW WEB PAGE???

   Yes, our church has a new look for its home page. We are planning on expanding it a lot. Check us out at www.ichooseJesus.net

NEW BUILDING UPDATE

 

  The Building Committee (Katie Margison, Jim Lyons, Roy Mauck, Mae Backovitch, Joe Martin, Jim Pillars, and Anne Lyons) is working hard to get the new entrance finished by the June 10th service.

  Thanks to all who contributed this past month! We couldn’t have begun to do such a great project with out generous people!

  Special thanks to Ken Cooper for the dry wall work and to Bob Dorogi for the carpentry with the hand rails.

We are hopeful that in the coming year the funds to finish the inside of the building will come.

 

 

 

 

PURCHASING AT MENARDS?

   As a fund raiser for the new Building we will have Menard's Scrip.  Some were not aware that we had it.  You purchase te scrip from the church in $25.00 increments.  You use these when you shop at Menard's just as you would cash.  Keep one or two on hand so that you are prepared when you go to Menard's.  If you have a big building project or other large purchase coming up there we can get larger denominations also.  See Marietta.  We get 4% on each and at the end of the year they send an additional 2% in merchandise certificates.  Thus. we actually get 6% profit.

CARD MINISTRY

If you know someone is in need of some spiritual love from our sister’s and brother’s in Christ, please contact Cindy Johnson and give his or her name and address. Email Cindy at TWEETYCINDY0301@COMCAST.NET

 

COFFEE HOUR

6/3    Rhonda Curry & Jenny Sybrandy

6/10  Katie Margison & Linda Ellinger

6/17  Alex & Cindy Fazekas

6/24  Jeanne Knoblock & Joyce Richter

 

USHER SCHEDULE

6/3     Bob & Carol Dawson

6/10   Manny Reyes & Chris Sybrandy

6/17   Anne Lyons & Karen Eggert

6/24   Hank & Sue McDonald

 

FUNDRAISER COMMITTEE

 If anyone would like to join us to raise funds for our wonderful building that God has allowed us to have we would enjoy having you come to our next meeting after coffee hour on June 3rd.  I would like to thank everyone for coming to out 1st meeting.  What a blessing for out Lord and Savior!

 We are having a car wash to raise money for our building fund in June and information will follow.

 Cindy Johnson

 

KOINS FOR KIDS

Many of you may not be aware of the “Koins for Kids” program we have here.  Any loose change in our offering plate is donated to our Sunday school program.  This helps fund the programs material costs. 

Please help support our kids and throw your extra change in the plate each week.  There are huge benefits from your gifts!

 

COUNCIL REPORTS

From the most recent meeting are always available at the back of the church in the wooden rack at the top of the steps. Don’t hesitate to pick one up if you have interest. Council Meetings are always open to our members. We meet the first Tuesday evening to conduct church business and the third Tuesday evening to pray. Please contact Council President Mike Johnson if you wish to attend or speak at any meeting. 

 

MAY BIRTHDAYS

3: Becky Thompson

9: Jackie Jones

15; Julie Ellinger

18: Linda Ellinger

22: Jim Summers

If you know of anyone who is not on our list, contact Randy Margison.

 

Food Handlers?

Helping out with any events with food at the church?  You may be interested in the Lake County Health Department’s – Temporary Food Service Event Training Class.  Call ahead and make reservations at 847-377-8040.

 

Tuesday, June 5              Lake Villa Township                   4pm – 6pm

Wednesday, June 20      Waukegan Office                         8am – 10am

Tuesday, July 10             Wauconda Office                         4pm – 6pm

Wednesday, July 25       Lake Villa Township                      8am – 10am

Thursday, August 2        Waukegan Office                          4pm – 6pm

Wednesday, August 15  Wauconda Office                         8am – 10am

Thursday, August 30      Lake Villa Township                     4pm – 6pm

Tuesday, September 11  Waukegan Office                            8am – 10am

 

CELEBRATING 75 YEARS!

            Many special invitations were sent out to area Mayors and Village Trustees and to area Pastors for our June 10th service, 7:00 P.M.  Karen Eggert has put together a slide presentation of old pictures.

 Rev. Dr. Art Gay will bring the message. He is a former Executive Director of World Relief and former President of the National Association of Evangelicals. As a C.C.C.C. pastor of many years, Dr. Gay and his wife, Joan, presently are retired and reside in McHenry.

 

As our Sunday school

year for 2006-2007 quickly comes to a close, I’d like to take some time and thank ALL of you for your support and prayers for the program and everyone involved. 

On May 16, 2004 Jim and I stood in front of the congregation, told you about our faith journeys, professed our faith in Jesus Christ and joined in the membership at CCRL.  I remember telling all of you that although we do not have children of our own, we love working with kids.  I would have never thought God was going to tap me on the shoulder and say, “It is you – I want you to lead the Sunday school program.”   

As you can probably guess my first response was, “Are you nuts!  What can I possibly contribute to the program?”   But… I did, “hear you calling in the night” (and tried to ignore it), finally releasing my fears of failure and facing the unknown, to follow His wishes.  I thank God and you for this very special opportunity to serve Him 

This year has been a testing and learning ground for everyone involved.   God provided us with an unbelievable group of Sunday school leaders.  Each one of them with qualities to enrich the group, studies and children.  The “One-Room” environment for toddlers through six grades was most definitely a test.  We have a list started of things to think about and change for next year.  The Jr. High classes seemed to be well received – I think.  (I haven’t quite perfected the grunt, mumble and stare language most often associated with this age group – It’s a joke guys!!!)  There were disappointments not having Sr. High participation, and we continually pray for God’s special guidance for this particular part of the program.  

Please join me in personally thanking each of these individuals for giving their gifts, time, resources, love and grace to our children and the Sunday school program this past year. 

Pastor Curry, Linda Ellinger,                                                 Cindy  Fazekas, Cindy Johnson,                                            Mike Johnson, Calie Lyons,                                                   Katie Margison, Jim Pillars

 Please continue to be in prayer for next year’s program; students, leaders, curriculums and activities.

 I certainly welcome any comments from the children, parents or interested parties about last year or this coming year’s program.  Please send me all your thoughts, constructive criticisiams, suggestions and needs.  All of this will be kept confidential if you wish.  You can drop me a note, call at 847-913-3652 or email at pillarstj@yahoo.com.

 “I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.”  (Philippians 3:12)

 Serving Him – Teresa Pillars

 

USE OF CHURCH BUILDING AND CHIMES CALENDAR??  

            The calendar in the Chimes each month only contains the events of our church life. It does not list all the groups using the church facility on different dates. If you wish inquire about using the facility, please call our Facility Coordinator, Jim Pillars.