WCC ACTIVITIES 

FOR THE GOOD OF
PASTOR JOE'S MINISTRY?
A box is now in the narthex
Called "Message for the Minister" -
This is for ideas for him to help in his ministry.
Fill out an idea and help our ministry grow!!! 

WCC SCHOLARS

BAPTISM

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SMITH FAMILY.  Their son John Michael Smith was baptized on April 13th.

CONGRATULATIONS TO
OUR 2008
CONFIRMANDS TO BE CONFIRMED ON 4/27/08

Courtney Kay Mazzie, born September 18, 1990.  Courtney is the daughter of Kathleen Eagan.  Her mentors are Sue and Pam Becerra.  Courtney’s ’ Confirmation passage is John 15: 16-17 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.  This I command you, to love one another.”

Daniel Paul Carberry Jr., born June 7, 1994.  Daniel is the son of Nancy and Daniel Carberry.   His mentor is Kathy Moore.  Daniel’s  Confirmation passage is John 6: 40 “For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Justin Joshua Chappell, born February 14, 1994.  Justin is the son of Cheryl Norton and Shawn Chappell.  His mentor is Jerry Volkmar.  Justin’s Confirmation passage is John 8:  12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ”I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Nursery Volunteers are needed, if you can give just one Sunday every month or so, please call Vicky Rowe 708/410-1918.

Monday night crafting is back.  We meet on the second Monday of each month.  Call Barb 562-0759 if you can come.  We work from 6:30—8:30 pm.

New Phone # For: Ed Socall 630/674-6045

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY

Is Sunday, April 27—Come and give our newest Confirmands your
Support and thanksgiving forTheir 2 years of study!!

TEACHER RECOGNITION SUNDAY

Is Sunday, May 4—Give thanks for all who serve teaching our youth and children in Christian Education!!

St. John UCC’s Food Pantry needs FOOD!! Bring your products just outside the church offices, to the Pantry Closet.  We can always use Peanut butter, baby supplies such as; diapers, powder, shampoo, lotion and also, paper products (like toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue, etc.)

Sassy Stitchers meet on April 21at 7:00 pm.  The Sassy Stitchers is a group that meets on the third Sunday of every month, they work on projects such as prayer shawls, lap robes, baby blankets, hats, mittens, scarves all to be given away to people in need, be it either physically or spiritually.  All are welcome, this is a great opportunity for all to learn how to knit or crochet.  Please join us for a night of fellowship and stitching.

JOIN OUR THURSDAY
MORNING TERRORS!!

Come meet us any Thursday morning here at 9 a.m. to work, paint, clean, and help.  We also eat breakfast at LePetite (7:45 a.m.) - Come and join us!!!

It is time again!  Come and join us for a week of camp with daily worship and devotions, where we will embrace God while building lifelong friendships in a fun and safe environment.  Daily activities include music, games and swimming, along with our annual beach night and counselor hunt.  There will be sports crafts and many more activities.  Family of God Camp will be held June 15-21 at Tower Hill.  The camp is open to kids completing 3rd-12th grade.  Scholarships are available.  Registration forms are available in the church office, or you can visit the website at www.il-odm.org  Register now, rates increase 30 days before camp starts.

A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT

“If you are really thankful,
What do you do?  You share”- W. Clement Stone

You can help our church
By giving your money.
Don’t hold back!!
No matter what!!
Find a way to help support our church now and for the future!!
**And, it is never too late to make a pledge to help our church operate –Please pick up a pledge form in the church office, or ask for

Offering EnvelopesThe next Westchester Blood Drive will be held on Saturday, April 26, at the Community center 8 am—3 pm.  If you would like to volunteer, or have any questions please contact Carl Panek 708/865-1782.

A car cannot move forward without its wheels.   With that in mind, our church is desperately hunting for a member who would like to utilize his or her talent, intelligence and imagination to help the church.   For several weeks, we have been limping along without a Vice Moderator, one of our most important leadership positions.   Please consider this appeal and, if you are willing to lend a hand or have a question, please contact Nominating Committee Chairman Carl Panek, Moderator Bruce Horek or Pastor Joe.    

Do you have any medical equipment you no longer need?  Or any equipment you may have borrowed from the church and no longer need?  If so, please return them to the church, we are running low.  Thanks!!

Are you interested in becoming a member of WCC?  We will be having a new members dinner on April 24, at 6:00 pm, during the dinner we will discuss the benefits, programs, and activities of being a member of Westchester Community Church.  If you would like to attend please call the church office.  New members will be received on May 4th, during worship.

Plant Sale pickup will be on May 17,  9am—11am.

MANNA May MANNA will be collected on Sunday, April 27  and Sunday,  May 4 for distribution on Sunday, May 11.  May – Mother’s Day!  Think of the many places you could take Mom for dinner and look at the many restaurants we have certificates for.   Give her a gift certificate so she may spend money on herself.  Remember that May is also planting time so consider certificates for Home Depot,  Menards, or Lowe’s that can help buy plants for the yard, garden tools, or other yard supplies.  See Sharon Sancken if you need your certificates before Mother’s Day.

COINS FOR CAMP

Will now be received only ONCE a month—the 2nd Sunday of each month—so please give generously on these Sundays—there will be a 2nd offering basket for it on these days!!

KITCHEN SHOWER  It’s time for the yearly kitchen shower.  That’s when the ladies of the church donate things for use in the kitchen over the next year.  We can always use paper towels.  We need a couple of new one cup measuring cups; we have larger ones but not that size.  Liquid dish soap and granular dish washer soap are useful, but we do not need any scouring powder.  We can always use plastic forks but do not need spoons or knives at this time.  We need tea bags – both regular and decaf.  We could use a couple of boxes baking soda for use in the refrigerators.  We can always use napkins and small plates and resealable plastic bags.  See Sharon Sancken if you have any questions about things we might be able to use.

A MISSION MOMENT-
DO YOU HAVE SHOES??

Shoe shopping for new Spring shoes?  Wondering what to do with those old one?  The Mission Board will be collecting gently used shoes during the month of April.  The shoes will be given to the Share Your Soles organization located in Alsip.  Share Your Soles has brought thousands of pairs of shoes to desperately impoverished people throughout the US and the world.  The founder of the organization accompanies every shipment of shoes to make sure that they reach the people that truly need them the most.  So start cleaning those closets and bring your shoes to church in April.  A box will be located in the narthex.  Please tie the laces together to make it easier to sort.

Our Spring Craft Sale will be on Sunday, May 4th.

Monday night crafting is back.  We meet on the second Monday of each month.  Call Barb 562-0759 if you can come.  We work from 6:30—8:30 pm.

PLEASE JOIN US FOLLOWING WORSHIP ON JUNE 1, the women of the church will be holding a Meals for Wheels.  Soup, salad, bread, beverage and desert will be served.  The luncheon will benefit Esther Baricza, the money collected will be used to buy a new-used car (this is the only way she has to get to medical appointments, church meetings, and worship).  The cost is $10.  If you have any questions, please call the church office.

Do you have any announcements that you would like to appear in the Column?  There are a number of ways you can do this.

1. Call the church office 708/865-1282.

2. Put a note in the offering plate during Sunday worship.

3. Mail it to the church.

4. Email to westcomchurch@hotmail.com

Do you have any family members who are graduating this year, please let us know, so we can publish them.

Thanks

Can you hear me now?? The Mission Board is still collecting cell phones.  So if you have any old phones lying around, please put them in the box in the Narthex.  The proceeds go to support projects for the Special Olympics.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

04/02  Bev VanderVelde

04/03  Nicholas Pienta 

04/04  David  Burba, Ryan Stach 

04/05  Ryan Stetzer 

04/06  Dina Spidale 

04/08  Joyce Lietzow

04/09  Kenneth Lindstrom 

04/11  Rus Strahan, Hazel Wiegman 

04/12  Kyle Hildebrand, Walter Suva 

04/13  Craig Marousek, Elise Rowe, Emily Bell 

04/14  Pearl Smith 

04/15  Peter Kabbe, Sharon Marczuk 

04/16  Godly Raj Kanaka, Peter Sagan 

04/17  Carlos Ortiz, Janet Finnigan, Brian Hart, Chris Haynes, Melanie Samonds 

04/18  Dorothy Malczewski 

04/19  Monica Benz, Roger Ewert,

04/20  Elayne Dalheim, Serene Mony, Charlene Dolnics 

04/21  Grace Cecconi 

04/22  James Slanker, Jim Locigno, Elizabeth Franks, Sarah Hermanowski, Lelandra Randle , Riley Barker

04/23  Delilah Benson, Gerald Volkmar 

04/25  Shirley Slanker, Glenn Smith, Kate Monahan, John Moore 

04/26  Megan Stetzer, Emma Passaglia 

04/28  David Else

04/30  Edward Socall, Wendell Julian, Mathias Kniesel 

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

04/08/1978        Donna & Jeff Hansen, 30 yrs.

04/09/1986        Vivienne & Tom Buckert, 22 yrs.

04/15/1948        Shirlanne & William Batson, 60 yrs.

04/15/1989        Peggy & Guillermo Ruiz, 19yrs.

04/18/1970        Carole & Richard Kasey, 38 yrs.

04/19/1952        Dolores & James Patak, 56 yrs.

04/22/1990        Daphne & John Deluca, 18 yrs.

04/25/1987        Delilah & Howard Benson, 21 yrs.

04/25/1988        Dianne and John Diaz, 20 yrs.

04/26/1986        Kim & Mark Mandarino, 22 yrs.