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Monthly Newsletter of The Chicago Temple
APRIL 2015
VOLUME 11, NUMBER 2
The Return of the Alleluias!
Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.” – Revelation 19:6
On April 5, the Sanctuary
will come alive with music,
Easter lilies and Alleluias!
On Ash Wednesday the
Alleluias were removed from
our worship services. This
is a long standing Church
tradition. But before the
Alleluias return; we journey
through Holy Week.
Maundy Thursday, Apr.
2— 12:10 p.m. and 6 p.m.
in the Sanctuary. Symbolic
Washing of Feet and Holy
Communion.
Holy Week
Saturday, April 4—5 p.m.
Easter Vigil in the Dixon
Chapel.
Good Friday, April 3—12
noon-3 p.m. “Seven Last
Words” in the Sanctuary.
6 p.m. Good Friday Tenebrae
Service in the Sanctuary.
Sunday, Mar. 29 is Palm
Sunday— 8:30 a.m. and 11
a.m.- in the Sanctuary.
Easter Sunday, April 5
6 a.m. & 7 a.m. - Sunrise
Services in the Sky Chapel.
8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-Festival
Services in the Sanctuary.
Wednesday, Apr. 1 at
12 p.m. we conclude
our Wednesday Lenten
Sermon Series with our
guest
preacher,
Rev.
Philip Blackwell and guest
musician Brenna Boncosky,
mezzo-soprano.
Join us on the journey of
Holy Week and celebrate the
Resurrection. Invite a friend,
bring a neighbor and share
Christ’s love.
THE SENIOR PASTOR’S COLUMN
Greatest Joy in Life
Book Signing
PAGES 2
Name That Tune
PAGE 3
77 W. Washington Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Phone: 312.236.4548
www.chicagotemple.org
We probably all can recall a time when
someone made a lasting impact on our lives
and came to influence what we believe, how
we think, and the kind of life we want to live. I
remember visiting with a gentleman who was
very generous to his church and the seminary
I was serving. He was a well-respected person
in his community, he had several business
enterprises he out rightly owned, others he
had some interest in, and he was most adept
in encouraging other entrepreneurs and
leaders in his community. Melvin is known for
being most generous, having a kind spirit, and
offering wise counsel. He told me about his
philosophy of giving shaped by remembering
his community’s recovery following the dust
bowl. He said, “When people ask me how I
decide how much I should give to the church
or other causes I believe in supporting, I always
say to them, ‘Don’t give so much that it hurts,
but give enough that it feels good.’” And then
he smiled and continued, “And I always tell
them that giving until it feels good is always
more than when it hurts.” I have come to
discover that he was right.
Contrary to public opinion, I am convinced
that we find our greatest joy in life when we
give. Think about the smile you have, the
warmth you feel, when someone you love is
receiving a gift from you. It just seems to be
built into our nature and part of our DNA to
be giving beings. This is why a very clear and
continuous thread is woven throughout the
teachings of our Christian faith. Under the
banner of Christian stewardship, there are two
foundational principles about giving. First,
out of God’s great love, we have been given
(continued on page 2)
Calling All Talents!
“Just as a body, though one,
has many parts, but all its
many parts form one body, so
it is with Christ.” I Cor. 12:12
We all make up the body
of the church, offering our
different gifts and talents to
enable all of the ministries of
the Chicago Temple.
Did you know... Every week an
average of 35 people volunteer in a variety of capacities to
enable and enliven our worship services? (That’s in addition to
the members of the gospel, chancel and handbell choirs!)
These opportunities range from the very visible Ushers,
Lectors, Tour Guides and Sunday School teachers, to the
more “behind the scenes” roles of A/V support, Office and
Nursery Assistants, Offering Counters, those who prepare the
communion and baptism elements and those who minister to
our hospitalized and home bound members.
“The Plastic Coated Leaf”
Book Signing
On Apr. 11, the Chicago
Temple
welcomes
Dr.
Robert Watts Jr. as a guest
speaker at the 5 p.m.
worship service. Dr. Watts
is an acclaimed author,
distinguished
professor
and former NFL player. His
works include “People are
Never the Problem” and
“The Plastic Coated Leaf:
Poems and Short Stories.”
Following the worship service Dr. Watts will be available for
book signing and discussion. For more information about Dr.
Watts visit www.robertwattsjr.com.
“Thank you! See You Later!”
Regardless of age, background and ability; whether you can
commit to once per week, month or quarter; There are no
limits to what God has called each of us to do.
There might even be a ministry that God has placed in your
heart that hasn’t been developed at the Chicago Temple!
A member of Our lay leadership committee and pastoral staff
will be glad to speak to you more about these opportunities.
Email Carol Emmons at: [email protected].
Rev. Kelly Tiebout
Feb. 22 was Rev. Kelly Tiebout’s last day as
the Director of the Gospel Choir. However,
she will return periodically as a guest. On
Sunday, Apr. 19 at 2:30 p.m. we will have
a concert and reception to celebrate
Rev. Tiebout’s 13 years of service at the
Chicago Temple. There will be special
guests including Rev. Darius Thomas, Rev.
Philip Blackwell and Rev. Claude King. For
more information about the tribute and
reception contact Erik Nussbaum (erik@
chicagotemple.org).
Greatest Joy in Life (continued from page 1)
all that we have. And secondly,
we are at our best when we live What is the Endowment Fund? The Endowment Fund was
established to help ensure the continued growth and ministry
generous lives.
of our church for years to come. It is an irrevocable trust.
Sometimes it seems we believe
stewardship is something that Only the income earned can be distributed to the operating
only happens in the fall when the budget.
church is setting its budget and What is the Chicago Temple Fund? The Chicago Temple
asking members for support. But Fund is a fund dedicated to extending our Christian outreach
stewardship is how we receive, through contributions to missionary programs in the Chicago
care for and tend to all that we area. It is an irrevocable trust. Only the income earned can
have and benefit from that is be distributed.
available to us throughout all of
our days.
and faithful. I am convinced
I firmly believe, that there is within us a spiritual need for giving that
and feel good about it!
is far greater than any church’s need to receive. There are times
when I am better at living my life as a generous person whose
life is consistent with that spiritual need. However, the principle
remains ever true.
Maybe during Lent the practice of “giving up” might better
be lived out by giving more and
setting standards higher in being
generous people. Can you benefit
the ministry of the First United
Methodist Church at the Chicago
Temple with increased generosity
and make a difference? Or, have
you considered making a plan for
generosity that will live beyond this
earthly life with a gift to our Temple
Fund or Endowment Fund?
Growing generous faith is part of the
journey of becoming more fruitful
that we can grow in our generosity
Burned Cross Exhibit Opens on April 12
The charred remains of a cross burned
discussion on Apr. 12 at 12:15 –
by the Ku Klux Klan at Tougaloo College
2p.m. in the Gallery on the 2nd
were given to Rev. Jerry Forshey for his
floor.You may view the exhibit and
leadership in integrating the Methodist
then move to the James Parlor
Church in the 1960’s.
Subsequently,
for refreshments and a panel
he took the charred cross to Chicago
discussion led by two long term
sculptor, John Kearney, who created
members of The Chicago Temple:
a bronze sculpture with an African
Alma Washington, poet and
American Jesus attached to the front of
actor, and Lester Munson, sports
the cross. In 2008, the cross was donated
reporter and lawyer. Alma and
to First United Methodist Church at Rev.
Lester will be joined by Thomas
Forshey’s request—with the “plea” that
Armstrong and Reverend Martin
we continue to tell the story.
Deppe. Thomas was a student at
“The
Crucifixion”,
photo
by
John
White.
Tougaloo
College in the 60’s, and
The burned cross sculpture entitled,
Rev.
Martin
Deppe,
a
Methodist
pastor.
Both played active
“The Crucifixion,” will be on display in the Temple Gallery
roles
in
the
events
at
Tougaloo
College
and
in the integration
along with photographs, published articles, the story of the
of
the
Methodist
Church.
burned cross produced by the Greater Chicago Broadcast
We hope you will join us in honoring Rev. Forshey’s “plea” that
Ministries, and other memorabilia from the 1960’s movement
we continue to tell this important story. “The Burned Cross
to integrate the Methodist Church. You are cordially invited to
Exhibit” will continue through Labor Day.
join us for “The Burned Cross Exhibit” opening reception and
Name that Tune... Carillon Edition!
By Merrie Bunt
If you’ve ever spent more than 15 minutes walking around the
central Loop, you’ve probably heard the Chicago Temple’s
Carillon, chiming the “Westminster Quarters” every quarter hour
and hymns during the rush hour periods.
But did you know that’s not actual bells you’re hearing?
The Chicago Temple Building is equipped with 8 speakers,
positioned at the base of the steeple on the north, east, and west
sides of the building and controlled by an electronic console.
Erik Nussbaum, Director of Music and Fine Arts, programs the
Carillon with hymns appropriate to the season,
That means over the Lenten season, Loop-goers will hear a
number of Lenten favorites:
8:46 am - Be Thou My Vision
9:46 - O God, Our Help in Ages Past
10:46 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
11:46 - What Wondrous Love Is This
1:46 pm - Beneath the Cross of Jesus
2:46 - Blessed Assurance
3:46 - The Old Rugged Cross
4:46 - Abide With Me
5:46 - Amazing Grace
Got a hymn request for the next liturgical season?
E-mail [email protected]
77 West Washington Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
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