Wicker Park Lutheran Church

                 Weekly Announcements

       July 27, 2010

A CHANGE OF PACE FOR SUMMER WORSHIP

    For a change of pace during July and August, we are using the worship service that we have used last five summers. Both different and the same as our usual worship, the service is based on the one used at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco.

    The Gathering portion of the service takes place in front of the church (where there are chairs at the top of the steps for those who require them). There, we are introduced to an alleluia that is repeated later in the service. Singing the alleluia, we gather in fellowship hall (once WPLC's chapel) around the baptismal font for Confession and Forgiveness. Singing a gathering song, we go to chairs in fellowship hall for The Service of the Word -- the prayer of the day, readings, psalm, gospel, and sermon. We incorporate silence after the sermon. After the offering has been collected, we take it and the bread and wine for communion processing (while singing, of course!) to the sanctuary where we gather around the table for the Meal. While there is a tended nursery available, children are invited to participate in all or parts of the service. See you on Sunday!

PRAYER AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES STUDY GROUP MEETS ON WEDNESDAY--LAST CHANCE (FOR NOW)!

    Have you ever wondered how you can deepen your experience of faith between Sundays? Have you ever wanted to gain more insight from Bible study and meditative prayer? Are you curious about the variety of religious activities and disciplines practiced by Christians around the world?

    If so, a group meeting on Wednesdays in July to study prayer and spiritual practices offers an excellent chance to start. The group is exploring ways to weave prayer and faith practices into everyday life--from the ancient art of Scriptural study called lectio divina to working for social justice. Pastor Ben is leading the sessions, which start at 7:30 p.m. This week, our last meeting for now, we will meet at the home of Matthew and Anna Petersen, 2862 W. 21st Place. No prior experience or study is necessary, only a desire to learn and grow!

    Want more information? Contact Pastor Ben at revdueholm@gmail.com.

NEXT NIGHT MINISTRY SET FOR FRIDAY, JULY 30

    Founded in 1976, The Night Ministry (TNM) has a Health Outreach Bus that brings food and health services to homeless men, women, and children six nights a week. WPLC collaborates with TNM once a month. Last month, WPLC'ers served a staggering 150 people in Pilsen. This month WPLC will be returning to Roseland on Friday, July 30. If you'd like to be part of the July crew, contact Pastor Ben at revdueholm@gmail.com.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SPD SINGERS!

    Last Sunday Wicker Park was blessed to play host to the musical gifts of the St. Philip the Deacon Singers, the youth choir of St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth, Minnesota.  Many, many thanks to the wonderful young people for adding to our worship and to the adults who accompanied them and made the trip possible!  Come back any time!

A NEW LOOK FOR THE CHURCH WINDOWS

    Thanks to a great deal of hard work by Jason Shutters, Nick Martz, Al Frapoli, Beth Shutters, and Chris Cantwell, the window frames for the parsonage and church are in the process of being repainted.  Check them out, along with the frame and clear window newly installed at the west end of the church building.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

    WPLC is once again partnering with Thrivent Insurance to help in building houses for Habitat for Humanity. Work is done on Saturdays. Rob Vrshek is heading up the WPLC team. Let us know if you would like to participate, and Rob will be in touch with you.

PRESCHOOL / KINDERGARTEN VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL COMING AUGUST 16-20!

    Wicker Park Lutheran Church will host a Vacation Bible School for 3, 4, and 5 year-olds from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. August 16-20. There will be crafts, games, snacks, Bible stories, art, music, puppets, and more! Children can come for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days. The cost is $5 per day. Know any 3, 4, and 5 year olds who might want to come? E-mail Pastor Ruth at revwplc@earthlink.net with their names, and let her know if you'd like to help.

BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAYS AT NOON

    After a month of Sundays in June riding circuit (i,e., supplying for pastors at St. Mark's in Aurora and St. Paul's in Villa Park), Pastor Ben has returned to WPLC, and Bible study has resumed. It meets at noon on Sundays.

A NIGHT OUT IN MILLENNIUM PARK PLANNED FOR AUGUST 18!

    On Wednesday, August 18, WPLC'ers will gather for an evening of music and fellowship at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Saint-Saens, Bizet, and Brahms are on the menu, along with the food and drink participants will bring to share. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m. If you'd like to be part of this gathering, e-mail Pastor Ben at revdueholm@gmail.com -- and do let us know if you can volunteer to bring food or drink to share.

SAVE THE DATE CARDS FOR THIS YEAR'S WORLD'S LARGEST POTLUCK AVAILABLE FOR SENDING!

    A date has been chosen for this year's World's Largest Potluck! The date is Saturday, September 25 and plans are well under way for the biggest and best World's Largest Potluck. Save the Datecards have been sent by e-mail to over 450 members and friends. Please forward the e-mail you received to your family and friends (or, if you did not receive the electronic version of the card, e-mail Pastor Ruth at revwplc@earthlink.net, and she will send it to you for forwarding). For friends and family who do not have e-mail, cards for snail mail sending are available. Take as many as you can use!

NEW MEMBERS TO BE RECEIVED

    Several individuals have expressed an interested in becoming members of Wicker Park Lutheran. If you think might want to become a member or if you want to learn more about WPLC, contact Pastor Ruth at revwplc@earthlink.net.

NEW DIRECTORY TO BE PUBLISHED

    The WPLC directory is being updated. We need to be sure that we have current data for members and friends who wish to be included in the directory. If you are already in the directory, please e-mail Pastor Ruth at revwplc@earthlink.net with any changes in your contact information. If you are not a member, but would like to be included in the "Friends" section of the directory, e-mail Pastor Ruth letting her know and forwarding your contact information.

wplc on facebook!

    Are you on facebook? If you are, consider connecting with Wicker Park Lutheran Church on facebook. This a great way to keep on top of what's happening with other WPLC'ers and at WPLC.

IMPORTANT WORM NOTICE!

    Our worms have been busy! They have made LOTS of wonderful rich soil. If you would like some, talk to Mike Koepp or Alex Larson or e-mail Alex at alexandra.larson@gmail.com.