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The Good News Corner of
North Northfield United Methodist Church
Come to the Corner — Sanders and Dundee in Northbrook, Illinois
July 2015
Thoughts on Prayer
By Gary Greenwood, Chair, Evangelism Ministry Team
Our church has a long tradition of practicing and
requesting intercessory prayer, faithfully practiced each
Sunday by sharing our “Joys and Concerns” followed by
requests for prayers.
For reasons not fully understood, I seldom request
prayers from others. However, in May of this year I had
occasion to be once again reminded of the value and
power of prayers.
My driver’s license is restricted by requiring corrective
lenses. Thus, it is normal for me to be wearing glasses in
almost everything I do. On a normal overcast Saturday, I
“Where Is It?” by Henry Stacy Marks (1882).
was working in my yard on a newly started but much
In the collection of the Birmingham Museums Trust,
England.
delayed project to replace, retrench and stake lawn
edging that had been migrating upward over the years. In some cases it no longer served its
intended purpose of keeping grass from invading various planting areas.
After working my fill, I called it enough for the day in spite of my self-imposed deadline to
complete that portion of the project before leaving to meet my brother on a scheduled fishing trip
in 10 days. I took a shower and reached for my glasses in the same place I always put them before
showering. What…no glasses! I looked everywhere. I looked on top of everything, under
everything, and behind everything.
(Continued on next page.)
In this issue…
Thoughts on Prayer ................................................... 1
Fellowship .................................................................. 4
Outreach / Mission ..................................................... 5
Goods for the Soul Thrift Sale.................................... 6
Women in the Church ................................................ 7
It’s All Good ................................................................ 8
Member Spotlight ....................................................... 9
New Bible Study Starts After Labor Day................... 10
People, Places & Events .......................................... 10
Calendar ................................................................... 11
797 Sanders Road, Northbrook, IL 60062  847.272.2250  [email protected]  www.northnorthfield.org  www.facebook.com/northnorthfield
North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
(Continued from previous page.)
temporarily parted, leaving a narrow crease
for the sun’s rays to penetrate. Turning to
resume my work, I also notice the sun’s
reflection off of what I assumed to be a scrap
of cellophane that the wind had blown into
some low growing, densely-branched
junipers — a frequent occurrence on a corner
lot that seemingly collects the majority of
neighborhood trash deposited by any west
wind.
I even looked in junk drawers not opened in
years and eventually removed and checked
under blankets on the bed. Following some
suggestions, I looked outside where I had
been working — even though I was certain I
would have noticed if my glasses had fallen
off while working. I policed the whole area
multiple times but they were not to be
found.
I walked over and reached down to pick up
the piece of errant trash, but pulled back in
shock because there before me were the
glasses — folded up, top of the frames facing
down with the bottom part of the lenses just
barely visible below the branches. Without
the sun’s reflection, they were only visible if
looking directly over the glasses and
knowing that they were down there
somewhere if you could find them.
The next day, after Sunday worship, I
continued my search of by now the same
places already checked. By the end of the
day I’ve decided that I will need to buy new
glasses. After all, I rationalize, the frames are
outdated and I haven’t had my eyes checked
in years. The ever present question in my
mind is whether I can have new glasses in
time for my fishing trip with the cabin
previously reserved and paid for.
Wearing a goofy grin I put on my glasses
and walked into the house expecting to
surprise my wife and receive a rousing
reaction and celebration. The surprise,
however, was on me. My wife didn’t notice
and continued on about this and that. As the
fog of words floated around me, I resolved to
somehow make her notice without actually
telling her. By continually adjusting my
frames and repeatedly clearing my throat,
she eventually took notice. Excitedly she
called her aunt, and told her the good news.
Her aunt was the only one among us that
was not surprised.
Monday morning I start calling for an
appointment, and eventually find an
opening at 2:00 that afternoon and possible
new glasses available in 7 to 10 days — at
least I’ll get the prescription and try to get a
commitment on a quicker delivery. By now
I’m resigned to the fact that the glasses have
simply disappeared and spend no more time
and effort looking for them. Once again the
day is overcast and perfect for working
outside so I head out to work on my project
before my scheduled appointment. Before I
leave my wife tells me that she will call her
aunt and ask her to pray that I find my
glasses. I acknowledge her offer with an
unenthusiastic OK as I head out the door.
I’ve made far too much of this story, yet for
me it is more than a story of lost and found
and continues to give me much to think
about regarding prayer.
After about an hour of working in the cool,
overcast day, I feel the warm sun on my back
and look up to see that the clouds have
(Continued on next page.)
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North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
(Continued from previous page.)
following up on any church business or
talking to anyone within your close circle of
friends. Welcome and invite our visitors to
the after-worship fellowship and introduce
them to friends. If there are no visitors or our
visitors seem to be over-welcomed by
greeters, greet and talk to someone that you
seldom have occasion to talk with.
Questions I’ve asked myself: What is a
proper prayer? Why did I not think to pray
on my own? Why did her aunt assume her
prayer would be answered while I doubted?
What is the proper response to answered
prayer?
I’ve concluded that all the answers to these
questions are found within our own personal
relationship with God. If we are in daily and
continual communion with God, sharing our
thoughts and weaknesses while seeking
guidance through each struggle as well as
joy in our lives, it is entirely natural that we
come to God in all situations. Coming to God
should be as safe and natural as taking a
deep breath. If God is our constant
companion we will pray expectantly,
knowing that God is there for us. To whom
can we bring any trial or issue if not to God?
With God as our companion, we recognize
and acknowledge his presence in our lives.
We begin to understand that although we
may suffer, God will ultimately help us
through if we let him. God becomes not just
an entity of last resort, but one that
influences and affects every aspect and
decision in our lives.
More simply stated, put yourself in the
position of a first time visitor to North
Northfield and offer them the same genuine
hospitality that you would hope to receive
on a first time visit.
Ice Cream Social
This is a reminder to mark and reserve
time on your calendar for Saturday,
Aug. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. Let us all
come together for ice cream, sundaes
and floats with fun games as well as music
provided by the Joyful Noise Band. Weather
permitting, we will meet on the church’s
front lawn, or in Fellowship Hall if it rains.
As we approach the end of summer, please
use this informal event to invite a “FRAN” to
North Northfield — Friend, Relative,
Associate, Neighbor.
We will need many volunteers to help out
with registration / greeting, scooping, games
and hopefully traffic control (this will be a
no-charge event). Please let Gary or anyone
from the Evangelism team know if you are
able to help out. Flyer handouts on our event
will be available to give to friends and
distribute around your neighborhood.
I pray that I adopt these thoughts into my
own life and continue to expand my own
relationship with God.
By the way, I still intend to get new glasses
someday.
5 Minute Rule
This is another reminder to not forget the 5
Minute Rule. For five minutes immediately
after worship, warmly welcome and
introduce yourself to a newcomer before
Your Evangelism Team,
Laurie Geiger
John Klein
Jim Sanabria
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David Schellenbach
Sandy Spangenberger
Gary Greenwood, Chair,
Evangelism Ministry Team
North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
Fellowship
Much of what we have been doing in
church for fellowship includes activities
like the coffee hour, small groups,
different outings, game nights, etc.! As a
fellowship team, we certainly encourage
everyone to continue doing what you are
doing to glorify the Lord!
It also came to mind that instead of
planning vacations all over the world, we
can visit our own tourist spots! So I would
like to let everyone know that I have
A scene from the Shedd Aquarium.
complimentary tickets to enjoy the arts
Photograph by Fritz Geller-Grimm.
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.
and culture programs we have at the
Adler Planetarium, Chicago History Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute of Chicago, and the
Museum of Science and Industry. Please let May Hammer know if you are interested!
Lunch and Miniature Golf July 11
The Fellowship Ministry Team is planning a
miniature golf outing on Saturday, July 11.
We’ll have lunch at Go Roma, 3061 Dundee Road,
at noon, followed by miniature golfing at
Sportsman’s Country Club, 3535 Dundee Road,
from about 1 go 2 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded for the highest score and
the most “holes in one.” Please plan to join us and
invite a friend!
May Hammer, Chair, Fellowship Ministry Team
Timber-Lee Camping Trip Aug. 7 to 9
Our camping weekend at Timber-Lee in rural
East Troy, Wis., has been set for Aug. 7 to 9.
For more information, please contact Lynn
Hallen at [email protected] or (847) 7075861 (after 5 p.m.).
A scene from last year’s miniature golf outing.
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North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
Outreach / Mission
‘Feed My Starving Children’ Sept. 26
Our next volunteer outing to Feed My Starving
Children will be on Sept. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. Feed My Starving Children is a nonprofit Christian organization committed to
feeding God’s children hungry in body and
spirit. Volunteers hand-pack meals specifically
formulated for malnourished children, and the
meals are then shipped to nearly 70 nations.
A scene from last year’s volunteer outing to
Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg.
Thank You for Cleaning Bucket Donations
Many supplies were needed to fill the two “cleaning buckets” that
our congregation donated for the benefit of the United Methodist
Committee on Relief during the Annual Conference of the Northern
Illinois Conference. Thank you to everyone who made donations!
Special Collections
Please Donate Macaroni for Food Pantries

Children’s winter
clothing collection

Backpacks ministry to
the homeless

Operation Christmas
Child
During July, we’re asking people to donate macaroni and cheese,
and soap and shampoo (but we will, of course, accept any dried
goods you are willing to donate to our food collection).
The food donations that you provide are dropped off at the
Northbrook, Vernon and Wheeling township food pantries every
month on a rotating basis. Thank you!
Red Bird Christian School Donations
Please continue to drop your “loose coins” in the “Hinkley” bottle in
the narthex for the Red Bird Christian School in Beverly, Ky. The
school is associated with the Red Bird Mission of the United
Methodist Church.
Touch a Life Fund
Contributions to the “Touch a Life Fund” benefit members of the
local congregation in need. Donations may be designated for “Touch
a Life Fund” or you may drop your donation in the box in the
narthex. Pastor Steve can provide more information if you have
questions. Thank you!
Geoffrey Graham, Chair, Outreach and Missions Ministry Team
5
Please check the narthex
and help out if you can
with these special ongoing
collections:
In addition, please deposit
these items in Fellowship
hall if you have them:
General Mills* cereal box
tops, Campbell’s* soup
labels, used eye glasses
and cancelled postage
stamps (preferably with a
half-inch of paper around
them). Marian Hacker will
get them to organizations
that can benefit from them.
* We can use box tops and labels from
any brand participating in the Box Tops
for Education or Labels for Education
programs.
North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
Goods for the Soul Thrift Sale
Thanks to everyone who participated in
our thrift and bake sales and who prayed
for our success this year.
We have made approximately $7,000 from
the first two sales. In addition, we donated
800 pounds of merchandise that was in the
Fellowship Hall to Savers Thrift Store and
received $140 from Savers for that
merchandise (at 20 cents per pound for
“soft merchandise” and 5 cents for “hard
merchandise”). We are registered with
Savers, so in the future if you or anyone
you know donates items to Savers, our
church will receive a refund from those items.
Some scenes from our June sale.
Photographs by Jean Merz and Geoffrey Graham
Our store is becoming more and more well-known and
many of our customers are repeat customers who
continually purchase items. In fact several of them
shop with us multiple days during our sale weekend.
In addition to our sales, we also enjoy fellowship with
other church members and our customers. During the
June sale, Jean Merz had a wonderful opportunity to
witness to a woman who needed comfort and who
came in asking about our red cross outside near the
front of our church and whether we believed that Jesus lived. Jean spent some time with her and
found her a large print Bible to take with her. Another customer mentioned that she was looking to
purchase canes, walkers and crutches to donate to Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital (a not-for-profit
facility) in Chicago. We gave her 2 pairs of crutches, 2 canes and a walker. Our main mission is to
help others so we feel especially blessed when we are able to donate items (backpacks for the
homeless, Schwab, etc.) and comfort those in need.
Our next sale is scheduled for Sept. 17 to19. Even though that is 2 months away, there is much
work to be done sorting, displaying and pricing all the new items that are coming in. Also, we
want to create an Idea Center with bulletin boards showing renovation projects and craft projects
(like a Pinterest room). We will have a table with magazines that people can review for inspiration.
We also would like to renovate some of our chairs (paint and upholster) and side tables, so let Jean
or Nancy Marsh know if you have some time to help us out this summer.
Goods for the Soul Team
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North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
Women in the Church
Why Are You In Church?
The lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer seem like a perfect time to reassess and perhaps
reset why you come to church each Sunday. If you come to church to advance your
spiritual journey, you’ve got scripture, sermons, and prayers. If you’d like to dig deeper, you
might consider our Adult Sunday School, our monthly book club, or our weekly Bible study.
If you come to North Northfield for
mission projects, you have a
variety of choices. There are the
annual Operation Shoebox and
Angel Tree events which have
enormous participation. There are
also a number of projects
sponsored by the Outreach and
Mission Ministry Team which you
may have overlooked: Feed My
Starving Children, food donations
for the Northbrook, Vernon, and
Wheeling food pantries, Red Bird
Pixabay image. Creative Commons 1.0 Public Domain Dedication.
Christian School donations, and Touch a Life Fund.
(See Geoff Graham or page 5 of this newsletter for information.) The Goods for the Soul Thrift Sale
provides service opportunities, as well.
National and international mission projects can be found on both the UMCOR (United Methodist
Committee on Relief) and UMW (United Methodist Women) websites. A warm summer day may
be just the time to spend a couple of hours browsing through these sites.
If your main purpose for attending church is to worship God in fellowship with other Christians,
you have dozens of people at North Northfield who hold similar beliefs. The Fellowship Ministry
Team is an obvious choice for your interest. The committee sponsors traditional celebrations, but
its members are always looking for new ideas.
You might also consider signing up for a Facebook account and “liking” our church page. Many of
our members have Facebook pages and we share fun and comfort everyday with our posts.
Remember that no one person or group has a lock on how church participation should look. Bring
your thoughts to the minister. A woman with an idea is a formidable creation!
Joyfully, Kathy Jacobs,
Chair, Commission on the Status and Role of Women
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North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
It’s All Good
Yankee Doodle Love
God gave us the ability to love. We can love each other; we can love things; we can love
ideas; we can love places. If you love your country you’re in the Big Box area of love. You
can join with approximately 320 million others who share your emotion. That’s a lot of
friends!
Of course, we know that not
all 320 million love the United
States. Some are angry with
the country right now and
some actually hate the
country. Putting aside the
haters for the moment, anger
doesn’t necessarily mean that
love is gone. Children have to
be taught patriotism. It isn’t
inherent. A trip down
Memory Lane may rekindle
feelings that have been in
repose.
Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith. Library of Congress image.
July 4th fireworks remain the hallmark of the
holiday. In an earlier time, we kids held sparklers and ran around the dark yards of our
neighborhoods. We lit roman candles and sent them skyward. We set off those annoying
little paper caps.
Some years, the family piled into the car with blankets and traveled to a community park
where a professional fireworks show was staged. Other years, the family stayed home and
watched “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with James Cagney and then the concert on the National
Mall.
Besides the gratitude for a member of the military who has served our country, there is no
better example of the “heart-swell” that love brings than when we hear “You’re a Grand
Old Flag,” “I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and “God Bless
America.”
On this July 4th let’s remember John 3:16: “God so loved the world, that he gave his only
Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” We have the
promise. Now let’s make God proud of how we love His world.
Kathy Jacobs, Lay Leader
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North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
Member Spotlight
Jean Merz
Jean Merz has lived in Riverwoods for the past
39 years, where she loves all the wildlife: birds;
squirrels; chipmunks and the deer. “The trees
and landscaping in this area are so beautiful
during all the different seasons,” she said.
She attended the University of Wisconsin —
Jean Merz
Milwaukee for 2 years, studying lower
elementary education, and then took an internship at the Milwaukee County Hospital to become a
Certified Histology Technician. After working 2 years at the Milwaukee County Hospital, she
worked at the Pathologie Institut in Bern, Switzerland for 2 years in the laboratory. After returning
to the States she worked at the Milwaukee Children’s Hospital in Histology for 9 years. After
marrying and moving to Illinois, Jean taught at Little Ones Preschool in Northbrook for 13 years.
In 1973, the Children’s Hospital sent Jean to a medical convention in Champaign-Urbana and that
is where she met Rudy. He was at the convention with Merz Optical Company selling Zeiss
Medical Equipment. They were married 3 years later and have been married now for 39 years. The
couple has one son, Jason, who attended the University of Colorado — Boulder School of Business.
Jason is now working as the Event Coordinator at the Fender Corporation in Scottsdale, Ariz.
She was about 3 years old when she started to attend Faith Evangelical United Brethren Church in
Milwaukee with her 4 older siblings. The church was half a block from their house. About a year
after they were married Jean noticed North Northfield while driving. Jean and Rudy decided to
visit the following Sunday. “It was so much like my home church — we loved it right from the
start,” Jean said.
For relaxation, Jean enjoys going to their cottage in Shawano, Wis. “I like to relax in the hammock
and read; take walks; go kayaking, and just ‘hold hands with God’ (meditating and enjoying God’s
beautiful creation),” she said.
She also enjoys the Worship and Outreach ministries at North Northfield, Volunteers in Mission
trips, and working at the Rogers Park Community Feast and collecting items for Operation
Christmas Child shoeboxes. “Operation Christmas Child is my all-time passion!” she said.
Jean noted many people have influenced her spiritual journey as well as the music, choir, sermons,
Bible studies and prayer support at North Northfield. Her childhood church in Milwaukee,
pastored by Rev. Franklin T. Jordan, her Sunday School teacher, Tessie Mazzone, and her sisters
were important, as are the people of North Northfield. “I don’t think there is a person in our
congregation who has not had some influence on me and my walk with Christ,” she said.
“Especially two godly women, Helen Schulz and Corine Shirrell, have had an enormous impact on
me, helping me grow deeper in my faith and my walk with Christ.”
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North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
New Bible Study Starts After Labor Day
“Covenant Bible Study” is a 24 week study divided into 3 series of 8
sessions — between them the entire Bible is covered but not in order, as
each series relates to Covenant.
We will have one class Friday afternoons from 1 to 2:30 p.m. I am able to
lead an additional group of this study on Tuesday or Thursday evening or
Saturday morning. If another leader can facilitate a group at another day
or time we could have another group using the same DVD. If you are
interested, have question or want to see the participant books let me know.
My email address is [email protected], and by cell is (847) 414-3192.
Bonnie Rich
22 Questions
For those who asked
Bonnie about getting
a copy of Wesley’s
“22 questions,” they
are on this website
(a blog from World
Harvest Church in
Roswell, Ga.):
http://hopefaithprayer.
com/john-wesley-holyclub-questions/
People, Places & Events
July Birthdays
Why not save this sheet and pray for these fellow members on their birthday?
7/5
7/5
7/5
7/5
7/12
7/24
Jaclynn Avner
Stephanie Goede
Carole Horneys
Danny Staufenbiel
Russell Medlin
Gary Greenwood
7/25
7/25
7/28
7/29
7/31
Mildred McLeggan
Jason Merz
Yvette Cooper
Michael Hammer
John Hartz
Altar Flowers
We are in need
of some people
to sign-up for
altar flowers to help beautify
our altar. Please sign up on the
flower chart (in honor, memory, or
celebration of a special person or
day) in the narthex. We will
print your request in the
bulletin. Thank you!
(Please remember to return the
plastic flower holder later if you
take the flowers home. The
florist reuses it to help reduce
expenses.)
North Northfield recently acquired these two new cabinets for the
storage of our church banners. Many thanks to Merle Aycock’s
nephew, David Shirley, of Georgia, who made them for us!
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North Northfield United Methodist Church
July 2015 Newsletter
Calendar
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.
®
The people of the United Methodist Church
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
July 2015
Wednesday
28
29
30
1
5th Sunday after
Pentecost
Happy Christian
Church, 1 p.m.
Ladies Group,
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ladies Bible
Study, 9:30 a.m.
A.A., 7:30 p.m.
T.O.P.S.,
6:30 p.m.
5
6
7
8
6 Sunday after
Pentecost
Happy Christian
Church, 1 p.m.
Ladies Group,
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ladies Bible
Study, 9:30 a.m.
A.A., 7:30 p.m.
T.O.P.S.,
6:30 p.m.
12
13
14
15
7th Sunday after
Pentecost
Friendship
Breakfast, 9 a.m.
Happy Christian
Church, 1 p.m.
Ladies Group,
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ladies Bible
T.O.P.S.,
Study, 9:30 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
Evangelism, 7 p.m.
A.A., 7:30 p.m.
19
20
21
22
8th Sunday after
Pentecost
Happy Christian
Church, 1 p.m.
Ladies Group,
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ladies Bible
Study, 9:30 a.m.
A.A., 7:30 p.m.
T.O.P.S.,
6:30 p.m.
26
27
28
29
9th Sunday after
Pentecost
Happy Christian
Church, 1 p.m.
Ladies Group,
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Ladies Bible
Study, 9:30 a.m.
A.A., 7:30 p.m.
T.O.P.S.,
6:30 p.m.
th
Thursday
2
Friday
Saturday
3
4
Independence Day
(observed)
(church office
closed)
Independence
Day
9
10
11
16
17
18
23
24
25
30
31
1
Events of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church (for more information, visit www.umcnic.org )
July 11 —
Mission U Summer One Day Event, First U.M.C.
of Oak Lawn, 8 a.m. (for youth and adults).
July 16-19 —
United Methodist Women Summer Mission U.,
8 a.m., Holmes Student Center, DeKalb.
July 20-23 —
Eighth Historical Convocation, “Diversity: It’s
Complicated,” Garrett Evangelical Theological
Seminary 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston.
July 31, Aug. 1 — United Methodist Women National Seminar,
University of Illinois-Chicago.
For more information, visit:
www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/national-seminar
Aug. 1 —
Mass Incarceration Public Action in conjunction
with United Methodist Women National Seminar
and Community Renewal Society. Details to come.
North Northfield United Methodist Church
797 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062  847.272.2250  [email protected]
www.northnorthfield.org  www.facebook.com/northnorthfield
Sunday services: 10 a.m. (join us early at 9:45 a.m. to sing praise songs!)
Church office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pastor — Rev. Soong-In Steve Moon
Assistant to the Pastor — Younghwan Won
Choir Director — J.D. Rich
Pianist — Weiwen Ma
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Administrative Assistant — Geoffrey Graham