News Posts

Weekly E-News, 4-12-2020

Hi parents, 
I hope that this message finds you safe and happy in your homes.  Hopefully many of you were able to watch the Easter service on Sunday.  The resurrection story is really a story of hope.  Even during this time of global pandemic, we can reflect on the example that Jesus’ life shows to us.  He was a servant.  He lived to serve us even through His death and resurrection.  He wants us to be servants as well.  When we serve others, we are serving Him.

• This is a great message to share with your children.  To read Mark 10: 42-45 and have discussion with your family, click here.  There is a nice video to go along with it. 
• If you are looking for some ways to share Random Acts of Kindness with your children, click here.
• Please keep dropping off toiletries in the bin outside the glass doors for families in need.  Every item helps! 

It makes me so happy to hear about the fun things that you are doing at home with your kids. The Wolf family enjoyed making Resurrection Rolls together last week (as seen in the picture).  I think that they nailed it!  Feel free to send in some pictures that you might like to share with others.

Take care of each other. 

Blessings,
Liz

Check out our first Zoom Fellowship Hour! It was definitely fun to see everyone and to catch a bit. Thanks for all those who participated. We are going to try to make this a weekly practice. If you’d like to join us, follow the instructions below and jump in on Sunday at 10:45am. The Zoom meeting information is below. If you need assistance logging into Zoom, please call Pastor Derek at the church office. He will practice with you anytime Monday-Thursday. ZOOM MEETING INFO: Derek Hickman is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: TCIA Fellowship Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/676788260?pwd=NmtuNFIzcGptd3FzdWp6OGNEbC93Zz09 Meeting ID: 676 788 260 Password: 077836 One tap mobile +13126266799,,676788260# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,676788260# US (New York) Dial by your location         +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)         +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)         +1 253 215 8782 US         +1 301 715 8592 US         +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)         +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 676 788 260 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abLmh2vKUs

Weekly E-News, 4-5-2020

We’d like to share a photo of the Kwazcek family who let me photograph them as they were “caught” dropping of their toiletry donation at the church:   This past Friday we were able to supply 80 people (23 families) with essential food and toiletries.  The need is growing each week.  Please consider buying extra toiletries (body wash, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) on your personal shopping trips.  These supplies can be dropped in the plastic bin outside the glass doors of the church.  We want to give a  HUGE SHOUT-OUT to the teachers at Aurora Schools.  They came together to donate $1500 in gift cards for the purchase of food for Aurora families in need!  If you know an Aurora teacher, thank them for their service and their generosity in this difficult time.  ATTENTION ANYONE WHO CAN SEW: Independence Village is in search of homemade masks.  If you would like to help out, you can find directions for the masks here. This pattern is just one example; you can use any pattern that you would like.  Masks can be dropped in the black mailbox or bin outside the glass doors of the church.  As a reminder, here are some other ways you can help: Donate to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund (100% of your money will be used to help others)Support the local food pantry (Volunteers of America). You may drop off grocery items at their 1063 N. Aurora Road location.Donate toiletry items to the church – things like toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products, toilet paper, handsoap, body soap, shampoo/conditioner, etc.Get the word out. If you know someone who would benefit from assistance, please point them in our direction. We’d be happy to try to help.

Weekly E-News, 3-29-2020

Printed copies of the April SPIRE have been mailed to folks in our church family who do not have email addresses.  It contains a monthly report from Walter Chapman, as well as some of our committees.  You will find a link to it below.

Hi parents,

I hope that this message finds you healthy and safe within your homes.  I am sure that the strains of homeschooling and close proximity may be wearing you thin, but the best thing that we can do to curb the path of this virus is to stay home.  I know that we miss coming together as a church…and by that I mean worship and fellowship in our building.  I don’t know that we need to only think of our church as a place or an event though.  I think that the “church” is a living, breathing entity.

As a church, we are trying our best to help out local families who are in need by providing food and supplies on Friday mornings.  The number of recipients is growing by the hour with increased job lay-offs and reserved supplies running short.  We are making deliveries to elderly and immuno-suppressed people in our community who shouldn’t leave their homes for fear of infection. 

What can you do to help during this time where we should be staying home? 

• Check in on someone who you think might need help.  If they do, tell them to contact me at 216-570-6394.
• When you do go out to get your necessary household supplies, pick up a hygiene product and drop it in the plastic bin by the glass doors of the church (toothpaste, deodorant, body wash or shampoo).
• Look for ways to spread kindness, encouragement, and love through notes, emails, and phone calls.

Just because we can’t be together in our church building doesn’t mean that we aren’t still the church.  You and your families are God’s hands and feet in the world. 

This Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week…Palm Sunday.  I have attached a lesson that you could adapt to use in your home with your children.  The directions for the palm wavers highlighted in the lesson are also attached.

Click here if you would like a short video about the events of Palm Sunday (good for all kids).

If you would like a video to put a smile on your face, watch this video with your older kids (or just by yourself).

God Bless You.  Safe home and stay safe.

-Liz

During this time, we have the opportunity to be the church – to embody the redeeming presence of God. We have established a fund to help students and adults in need in our community. 

We are trying to help in highly relational ways, so that we can provide food and financial assistance for folks who have been negatively impacted by the economic conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Here’s how you can help: 

• Donate to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund (100% of your money will be used to help others)
• Support the local food pantry (Volunteers of America)
• Donate taxable toiletries to the church – things like toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products, toilet paper, handsoap, body soap, shampoo/conditioner, etc.
• Get the word out. If you know someone who would benefit from assistance, please point them in our direction. We’d be happy to try to help. 

Mr. Rogers talked about looking for the ‘helpers’ in times of trouble. Let us be the helpers in this time. Let us be the ones that God used to deliver hope, joy, grace, and love! 

Weekly E-News, 3-22-2020

April 2020 Spire

March 2020 Spire

December 2019 Spire

February 2020 Spire

January 2020 Spire

November 2019 Spire

2019 Spire November