The Bethany Beacon

January / February

Welcome 2012 with a thankful heart for each other and our God!

I would like to thank the United Methodist Women for their surprising and generous Christmas gift.  I received your gift when I was thinking of canceling my annual Advent prayer retreat at the Wesley Woods Conference Center in Williams Bay, WI, due to my financial struggles. However, because of your gift, I was able to have this precious time with God, myself, and God’s beautiful nature.

I would like to give my thanks to Louis and Barbara Vorgias for their Christmas gift as well. During this holiday season, there are so many people who cannot celebrate the birth of Jesus due to their difficult life situations. Among them, there are homeless people living on the cold streets of the city.

For the last four years, the people of Glenbrook Korean UMC have been serving our brothers and sisters on the streets with food, music, clothes, cookies, and Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. Last year, Paul Shanyfelt collected winter clothes and donated them to Glenbrook Korean UMC and the Salvation Army.

This year, I decided to make a donation in order to help them buy the frozen vegetables for 130 meals, but I was wondered how I could make the money. Our generous Bethany Church members have already been involved in lots of Christmas programs and events, which help people in need, so I was thinking of not helping the Christmas Eve Event at Humboldt Park Homeless Center this year. However, God surprised me again by sending me the right amount of money through the beautiful hearts and minds of the Vorgias family.

I also give my thanks to all of our church families and friends who have donated their monetary contributions to the church for its mission. Due to your generous financial support, Bethany has kept its door open in 2011. Even though I cannot name all of them in this letter, I believe that God remembers all of you and your love for the church. I am not sure what will happen to us in the future, but I am sure that our God will continue to take care of our church in the coming year, 2012.

At most, I give my heartfelt gratitude to our loving God for having been with us through good and bad times in 2011. People have come and gone according to their own needs and reasons, but God has never left us and God’s everlasting goodness has never forsaken us! What else do we need in order to be happy and thankful, if we truly know and believe that God was with us in the past, God is with us in the present, and God will be with us in the future? Do you believe in God, the Immanuel?   

In the coming year, 2012, and also in the years to come, I pray that you may keep your faith in God and God’s goodness and focus on the reasons why God has called you to be a church here in Itasca!

Happy New Year to you all!

Your spiritual companion,

Pastor Kwang Sung Lim

 Please Pray For…

...   those living in retirement settings: Inge Eggert, Romayne Lau, Dories Neis, Elaine Teller, Joyce Usher, Martin Vaagen, and LaVerne Volbrecht.

...   those who are ill, recovering, or confined to their homes: Donna Baehne,  Alice Beine, Diane Callfas, David Cammarata (brother of Phil Cammarata), Elsie Doering, Marge Evensen, Betty Fridlund (John Fridlund’s sister), Lauretta Huenink (Katie Debus’ mother), Audrey Mensching, Doris Moore, Linda Modrich Moore, and Ray Nolte.

Itasca Food Pantry

Thank you to everyone who purchased gifts for those who use the Itasca Food Pantry. The two Saturdays when we distributed the gifts were busy and happy occasions. There were many tears of joy as moms and dads saw their children’s Christmas wishes come true. SO many of them wanted to extend their gratitude and thanks for all you have done for them all year long.

Don’t forget that the 1^st Sunday each month is Food Pantry Sunday. The number of families being served at the pantry continues to grow each week. The following is a list of non-perishable items we desperately need:

¨      Paper towels

¨      Toilet tissue

¨      Facial tissues

¨      Cleaning products

¨      Personal care items

¨      Women’s hygiene products

¨      Incontinence products

¨      Regular coffee

¨      Dry/canned dog and cat food

¨      Cat litter

¨      Over-the-counter medications, e.g., cold, flu, cough, aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol, etc.

¨      Canned tuna

¨      Regular rice

Bring your non-perishable items and place these in front of the lectern in the Sanctuary. Myrtle or Bea will make sure your donations get to the pantry. If you forget your items, please bring them whenever you can and let Myrtle or Bea know so they can get the items to the pantry. The Itasca Food Pantry is now serving more than 80 families.

Anyone who would like to make a monetary donation can write a check and give it to Bea Dreyer. Please make your check payable to the: Itasca Food Pantry. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

Itasca Walk-In Ministry

Bethany is also a part of the Itasca Walk-In Ministry (IWIM). The IWIM shares the building with the Itasca Food Pantry and is open twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

The IWIM serves individuals and families in need of help with the following:

·        Rent/Mortgage;

·        Utilities;

·        Car repairs;

·        Gas; and

·        A host of other services.

Volunteers are always needed and financial contributions are also welcome. Due to the poor economy, both the Itasca Walk-In Ministry and Food Pantry are hurting financially. Any donation is appreciated and every dollar goes to helping those in need.

There are no paid employees for either the Itasca Walk-In Ministry or the Food Pantry. Both are run by caring volunteers from the community.

United Methodist Men’s Breakfasts

The United Methodist Men will continue meeting for breakfast at Davi’s Restaurant, 609 W. Irving Park Rd., in Roselle across from the train station on Saturday, January 7^th and February 4^th at 8:00 a.m. You can contact John Fridlund for additional information.

Communion Sundays

Communion will be served on January 1^st and February 5^th.

United Methodist Women

The UMW meets the third Tuesday of each month.

·        Tuesday, January 17^th @ Noon ~ This will be a planning meeting for the year. Remember to bring your “white elephant” so we can have a silent auction. Bring a sack lunch. Beverages and dessert will be furnished.

·        Tuesday, February 21^st – This is the day before Lent begins. We will have a group Bible study to prepare our hearts for Lent and Easter. Bring a sack lunch. Beverages and dessert will be furnished.

Please mark your calendars so you don’t miss an event you’re interested in attending.

Thank You

Alice Beine extends her thanks to everyone for the cards, prayers, visits, and calls she received following her hip replacement surgery and subsequent recuperation.

The UMW thanks everyone who brought items for Marcy-Newberry, which will be used for Christmas gifts and throughout the year. Thanks to Conrad and Bea Dreyer for delivering the items to the association.

Thanks to everyone who took part in Bethany’s Annual Young Christian’s Christmas Program. The cast did a wonderful job! Our thanks to all the parents for your support and making sure everyone learned their lines and were at the church for all the rehearsals.

Upper Room Available

The January/February devotional booklets, The Upper Room, are available in the Narthex at the rear of the church. Please stop and pick one up on your way downstairs.

Pick Up Your 2012 Offering Envelopes

If you haven’t picked up your 2012 offering envelopes, please do it as soon as possible. These envelopes can be found in the narthex and are in alphabetical order. If you see a box addressed to a neighbor, please take it and deliver it to your neighbor. This is an excellent opportunity for a short visit. This also saves Bethany mailing costs.

Fellowship Hour Hosts Needed

As this New Year begins, we are in need of individuals to provide refreshments for Fellowship Hour following Worship. A signup sheet will be available on the refreshment table. Keep the refreshments simple and consider sharing the responsibility with another family/individual. Consider being a host for this important part of Bethany’s outreach and fellowship.

Church Council

The Administrative Council will take place on Monday, January 9^th @ 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.  All members are welcome to take part in this important meeting about Bethany Church.

Missions Brunch

Thanks to everyone who brought things for the Annual Missions Brunch The free-will offering raised $350 for the Itasca Food Pantry and Walk-In Ministry.

Fifth Sunday Pot Luck

Our fifth Sunday Pot Luck Lunch will take place on Sunday, January 29^th following worship. Please bring a dish to share. Beverages and place settings will be furnished. There will be warming ovens and refrigeration available in the Fellowship Hall.

January Birthdays

January 1^st –        James Vicicondi

January 6^th -         Denise Larsen

January 10^th –     Brian Stinton

Rebecca Shrader

January 11^th -       Ron Burgos

January 12^th         Kayla Thomsen

Caron Thomsen

January 16^th         Kent Beine

January 18^th         Julie Cooke

Elaina Asimor

January 19^th         Phillip Cammarata

January 22^nd        Michael Shrader

January 23^rd         Jessica Lipski

January 26^th         Megan Debus

Laurie Claypool

January 27^th         Rich Teller

February Birthdays

February 1^st          Judy Teller

February 6^th         Conrad Dreyer

Patti Fridlund

February 7^th         Lacy Smith

February 9^th         Kristi Przybylla

February 11^th      Tom Fesser

February 12^th     Marge Modrich

February 13^th       Carrie Pigott

February 14^th       Robert Rompala

February 18^th       Tinley Smith

February 23^rd -     Keith Beine

Paul Shanyfelt

February 25^th -     Marty Pawlicki

Gary Larsen

February 27^th -     Bea Dreyer

Valerie Fridlund

February Anniversaries

February 20^th Conrad and Bea Dreyer

Poinsettia Plants

Given in Memory of…

Our Parents: Louis & Adeline Vorgias and Chester & Margaret Hopps From: Louis and Barbara Vorgias, Jr.

Elizabeth Shanyfelt and Jack Shanyfelt, and Norma Brown From: Paul Shanyfelt

John Fridlund, Jr.  From: John and C’Dale Fridlund

Howard & Virginia Sounhein From: Linda and Christina Hall

Lyla Callfas, Ginger Callfas, Anna Heyn, and Tom Sinclair From: Diane Callfas

Wesley Usher and Hazel Hart   From: Brian Usher

Our Beloved Family Members From: Eddy and Promila Lal

Given in Honor of…

Our Grandchildren: Carrie, Bonnie, & Brian Pigott From: Keith and Alice Beine

Joyce Usher  From: Brian Usher

My Grandchildren   From: Myrtle Klauer

People of Bethany From: Everett and Doris Clark

Our Family: Nichole, Mike, Alexander, & Elaina and Louis, III, & Deanna From: Louis and Barbara Vorgias, Jr.

 Special Lenten Programs and Services:

Ash Wednesday Service will take place on February 22, 2012, at 7:30 p.m.

Lectio Divina Prayer Meetings on Wednesdays, beginning on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and continuing through Wednesday, April 4, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.in the Fireside room.

Holy Maundy Thursday Service with the Passover Meal on April 5, 2012 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Upcoming Events and Programs:

The 2012 Youth Mission Trip:

Our Mission Trip to Downtown Chicago with DOOR (Discovering Opportunities For Outreach and Reflection) will take place beginning on June 10, 2012 through June 15, 2012. If you would like to participate in this mission trip, please contact Pastor Sung.

Seven Weeks of Spring Small Group Meetings:

Our Small Group Meetings will begin in March. We will study the book, What Is So Amazing about Grace? This book is written by Philip Yancy. If you would be willing to host one of the small group meetings, please let Pastor Sung or Myrtle Klauer know. All you need is a television and DVD player. Refreshments should be simple – glasses of water are fine.

Laity Convocation:

Everyone is invited to register for the Laity Convocation on Saturday, February 4, 2012 beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. This will take place at First UMC in Elgin. The cost is $15 per person when you register before January 28, 2012. After this date the cost will be $20 per person.

The day includes a continental breakfast and lunch. For more information and a registration form, contact Pastor Sung.

Please Take a Bow:

Thanks to the wonderful cast of Young Christians and others, who presented the Annual Christmas Program entitled, Was it a Star? We’re very thankful for many of Loretta’s friends who have participated and been supported by their parents for the third year. Please say “thank you” to the following cast of characters and their parents:

Asterous (The Queen) Kelsey

Mizar and Alcor (Pages to the Queen) Morgan and Danielle

Rigel (Queen’s Minister) Pastor Sung

Geminii and Geminee (Twin Stars) Natalie and Loretta

Marco (Star)  Nicole

Flasher and Dimmer (Imperfect Stars) Faith and Joe

Four Perfect Stars Hannah, Larissa, Megan, and Jack

Narrator          Don

Bethany United Methodist Church

400 W. Walnut Street

Itasca, IL 60143

630-773-0094

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The Bethany Beacon is a news letter of things that are going on at the church each month.