GPS NEWSLETTER
Week of October 26, 2014
Volume 9 – Number 43
Visit us on the web: www.GPSFaith.com
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View our calendar online: http://gpsfaith.com/#/whats-happening/calendar
Know someone who would like to receive the GPS e-newsletter? Send us their email at
Lisa@gpsfaith.com
Missed last Sunday? Click here to catch the sermon on our website.
REMEMBER THAT WE TURN THE CLOCKS BACK THIS WEEKEND!
LAST DAYS!
To order Logo wear
To sign up for Ralm Trivia Night
To sign up for Women’s Fellowship Card Camp
Songs This Week: Everlasting God (Lincoln Brewster); Lord I Need You (Daniel Carson, Matt
Maher, Christy Nockels, and Jesse Reeves ); Lord of My Day (Sam Mackenzie); Love You
Swore (Love You Swore); We Are Blessed (All Sons and Daughters).
TOGETHER WE ARE A FAITH COMMUNITY. We are at our best when we are committed to:
GROWING, CARING, CONNECTING, SERVING, GIVING, and LEADING.
ROB’S WORDS: IT WAS AT STARBUCKS THAT I LEARNED ABOUT TWENTIETHCENTURY SLAVERY…
Ok, I wasn’t at Starbucks (although I am there often). The title is a quote from “Same kind of
different as me.” This Sunday we will begin a five week sermon series and small groups as we
read through this book.
It is not too late to buy the book and the conversation guide ($20) and to join a small group. We
have groups offered every day of the week (except Saturday). These small groups are a great
place to get to know others, learn something new and challenge our thinking.
The book is the story of two men that our world would expect to never meet – but instead not
only meet but transform one another. It was when Ron first heard Denver’s story of growing up
as a Share Cropper that he learned of modern day slavery. Most of us are probably aware that
even today there is slavery in the world, but are we aware of how it is happening in our own
community?
It’s actually what first drew my attention to this book, but in it I have found far more. The story
of Ron and Denver leads us into conversations on: “extraordinary faith,”
“forgiveness/unconditional love,” “loving the unlovable,” “Prayer” and “Blessing versus
Service.”
I hope you will join the conversation, commit to going deeper in our faith lives and taking time
to get to know others at GPS through small groups.
Sundays at GPS at 12:30 pm
Mondays at GPS at 6 pm
Tuesdays at Panera on 173 at 6 pm
Wednesdays at 708 Meadow Crossing Trail, Roscoe at 5:30 pm. Kids welcome.
Thursdays at Panera on 173 at 5:30 pm
Fridays at GPS at 5:30 pm
God’s Peace,
P. Rob
YOU NEED TO KNOW
BULLETIN/NEWSLETTER ARTICLES - PLEASE NOTE: Please submit information for
the bulletin and/or e-newsletter no later than Wednesday at noon for inclusion that week.
Information should be sent to NewsEd@GPSFaith.com. Thank you!
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY: We've lost our Sunday night Bible study leader so we will not be
meeting this fall. If there is a group of women interested in starting a study, please contact
Lisa@gpsfaith.com to get it on the calendar.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AND NURSERY: We have a staffed nursery (infant-3) during both
services out the back of the worship space. Parents will be required to check their child in and
out of the nursery. Please don’t bring sick children to the nursery. Our Sunday School program
(3 years old – 5th grade) takes place during 9:00 worship. Children begin in worship and will be
led out by our Sunday School Teachers. If children are new to Sunday School, we ask parents to
come back to get them registered. Our preschool (3 & 4 year olds) can be picked up
immediately following worship. Our Elementary preschool (kindergarten through 5th grade)
goes until 10:15. Please don’t interrupt the class before they are done.
LAST SUNDAY TO ORDER LOGO WEAR SALES - TIE DYE AVAILABLE THIS
FALL! We're having our annual logo wear sale, starting today through Nov. 2nd. This year we'll
be featuring hand- tie-dyed short and long sleeve tees, dyed by the GPS youth, as a fund raiser
for the youth trip to Detroit in 2015. "Regular" logo wear available also in short and long sleeve
logo tees, short sleeved polos, zip and pullover hoodies, and crew neck sweatshirts. Hurry, orders
end Nov. 2nd. Order at the table outside worship.
DIRECTORIES ARE HERE! If you had your picture taken last fall for the directory you may
pick up your free copy today at the table in the foyer.
"SAME KIND OF DIFFERENT AS ME" BOOKS ARE IN: Purchase a copy of the book
and the reader guide for $20 today. See Lisa at the logo wear table. We'll be joining together to
read the book in small groups beginning the first week of November. Sign up to join a small
group.
SAVE THE DATE: Fireside, Sensational 70’s – Beat the winter doldrums and join us January
24th for a wonderful dinner followed by some of the hottest music from the 70’s! The Fireside
Live Band never disappoints and will accompany great artists performing the likes of Bruce
Springsteen, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Earth Wind &
Fire, James Taylor, Led Zeppelin, Jackson 5, and ABBA, to name only a few! You’ll be dancing
in your seats when the music begins!
Before the show you’ll enjoy a 5 course meal – your choice of Pacific Rim Pork Loin, Chicken
Piccata or Global Vegetarian Medley. All served with soup, salad, freshly baked bread, blended
wild rice, vegetable and dessert. Price per person is $66.95 and includes dinner, coffee, tea, or
milk, tax, dinner gratuity and the Sensational 70’s Show. If beverages are purchased, gratuity is
appreciated on your cash bar bill.
Plan to arrive by 4:45. Enjoy a beverage in the bar, or take a peek in the unique shops. Dinner
will be served at 5:15, and the show will start promptly at 7:30.
Seats are limited! Watch for sign up information. Payment due by December 14th.
SAVE THESE DATES:
November 15th: Indoor Work Day
November 21st: Moonlight Bowling
November 23rd: Machesney Park Tree Lighting
December 14th: Blessing Beyond The Brokenness
January 24th: Fireside Sensational 70’s
GET INVOLVED
TREASURER IN TRAINING: We are looking for someone with some experience/passion for
finances that is passionate about serving the church. We want someone that can spend the next
year on the church leadership team learning from our system from our current Treasurer, Rod
Meyer, and then the next year would become the Treasurer. If you are interested please talk to
Pastor Rob.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED: We are looking for people interested in teaching
Pre-school, lower elementary or upper elementary. Sunday School teachers commit to one
month at a time. We need teachers for November and December. If interested please talk to or
email Angie Brown, pathwayz@gpsfaith.com.
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS: It is time to once again pass the clipboard for Nursery Volunteers
to help our Nursery Staff. Will you take one Sunday the next 6 months and be an assistant with
our youngest members?
CLICK “SHARE”: Do you use Facebook? If so, have you liked our page,
www.facebook.com/GPSFaith? Facebook has changed how posts are spread, we love your likes,
but by clicking “share” you greatly influence our ability to have others see our Easter Invite, Egg
Hunt invite and whatever else we post that you want others to know about. We are running
Facebook Ads up until Easter – and the more people we get who like our page the more that
circle of influence grows!
GPS CLASSES, SMALL GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
LADIES - MINI RETREAT: Join us Saturday, Nov. 1st from 10 am – noon at GPS for fun,
fellowship and creativity as we explore the world of 100% pure therapeutic grade essential
oils. We will make DIY health, beauty and spa items, share ideas for DIY chemical free cleaning
products, and other useful gift ideas. Free prizes and giveaways! $15 per person covers the cost
of materials and light refreshments. Invite your friends! Sign up at the Volunteer Table.
GROWING FAMILIES OF FAITH BONFIRE: For families with young children: join
us November 7th at 4:30 p.m. for a Pizza night and Bonfire at Matt and Heather Blecker's home 9613 Norman Ave. Machesney Park, IL. Please bring $10/family for pizza. Drinks and s'mores
supplies will be provided. Please sign up on the Facebook page if you are coming or email Ann
James at annckjames@gmail.com. Hope to see you there!
WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP CARD CAMP RETURNS! It was so much fun last time, we're
doing it again. Women - join us on Saturday, November 8th from 11 am - 3 pm for a chance to
make and take greeting cards. $10 covers soup lunch/dessert and materials for 5 cards, please
donate 1 card to the Prayer and Care team. Additional cards can be made for additional charge as
supplies last. Please bring your own scissors. Sign up by Nov. 6th. Pay in advance and get an
extra card to make for free!
MOONLIGHT BOWLING FUNDRAISER
Friday, November. 21st at 6:30 pm. Cost is $15 per person and includes 3 games and shoes.
There will be a silent auction. (Donations of baskets still being accepted!) Sign up at the
Volunteer table. Checks payable to GPS. A fundraiser for the youth!
BLESSING BEYOND THE BROKENNESS: Join us for a healing service on Sunday,
December 14th at 5:30 pm. For those who are hurting, disappointed, in pain, grieving - or those
who love someone who is. All are welcome to this service of quiet reflection and hope.
GPS CARD GAME NIGHT: All adults are welcome to come learn card games and enjoy an
evening of play on the 1st & 3rd Fridays, of the month. Bring your own beverage of nonalcoholic nature, and finger snacks to share.
RAISING TEENS—PARENT BOOK AND DISCUSSION GROUP: Does your Jr. or Sr.
higher leave you absolutely frustrated at one moment and full of joy the next? Come and share
with other parents of 6th-12th graders the joys and challenges of parenting this age. We meet
every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 6:30. We are reading “Parenting Teens with Love and Logic.”
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
INDOOR WORK DAY - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED: Saturday, November 15th from 8 - 3.
Come out and help do fix-it and fix-er-up projects around the inside of the church. Many hands
make light work. We'll have a scissor lift available starting Friday at 3 pm if you are involved in
projects requiring 'high' work. Sign up at the Volunteer table to help!
COOKIES AND COCOA: Help us give away free cookies and cocoa at the Machesney Park
Tree Lighting after the "light up the Parks" parade. The event will be the evening of Sunday
November 23rd. Sign-up to donate cookies or to work the event.
GPS COLLEGE STUDENTS INFORMATION: We want to send end of semester care
packages to our GPS college students. If you have a college student please email their contact
info to Kim Honzel (kimhonzel@att.net) by November 14th. Watch for future announcements
as we collect goodies to send.
ATTENTION GPS TWEETERS: Our @GPSFAITH Twitter account is once again active! We
are using this social media tool to help spread the word about all the exciting news and events
happening at GPS and the larger ELCA organization. It is also a great way to stay connected to
events in our community.
Here is how you can help: If you are an active Twitter user, go to your account and follow
@GPSFAITH. When you see a tweet from @GPSFAITH, retweet the message and all of your
followers will see the message. This is an easy way to get involved and it will be fun to see how
many followers we can attract. If you are not currently an active Twitter user, watch for more
info as we introduce twitter and how to use it as a person of faith.
SCHNUCKS SCRIP CARD: Help GPS every time you shop. Schnucks will donate 3% of your
total grocery bill every time you use your Schnucks loyalty card or registered credit/debit card.
Register your card at www.escrip.com/Schnucks and choose GPS as your designated recipient.
Present your registered card to the cashier when you shop at Schnucks. It’s an easy way to help
support the programs and ministries of GPS. Questions? Contact Lisa at lisa@gpsfaith.com.
AMAZON.COM PROGRAM: Amazon.com has a program to reward not-for-profits, like GPS,
for shopping with Amazon Smile. If you plan on shopping on the website anyway, take a
moment to enter the website from this link
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-1334851
and choose GPS as your benefactor. We'll receive a small percentage of your total purchase in a
cash deposit to us! So far we've earned $5 from Amazon - we'd love to receive more!
YOUTH NEWS AND ACTIVITIES
PATHWAYZ MOVIE DAY SUNDAY: Youth in grades 6 - 8 are invited to GPS today from 25 pm to watch "God's Not Dead". We'll have snacks and fellowship - invite your friends. Bring a
pillow to sit on.
PATHWAYZ, CONFIRMATION and COMPASS: Send an email to pathwayz@gpsfaith.com
or compass@gpsfaith.com to make sure to get Pathwayz (6th-8th grade) or Compass (9th-12th
grade) updates. Our Confirmation Program (6th-8th) grade will resume on November 16th. Our
6th-8th grade youth meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, and 8th graders also meet on
the 2nd Sunday - during the 9:00 worship service.
ELCA YOUTH GATHERING 2015: All current 8th-12th youth are invited to join us and
35,000 other Lutheran Youth and Leaders in Detroit July 15-19, 2015. Registration is due
October 12th, if interested and you need more info please talk to Pastor Rob or email,
compass@gpsfaith.com
COMPASS: All 9th-12th youth are invited to participate in COMPASS, our Sr. High Youth
Ministry on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 5:30-7:00 at GPS. For more info, talk to
Melissa Adkins, volunteer Compass Leader, or email, Compass@gpsfaith.com
PATHWAYZ: All 6th-8th youth are invited to participate in PATHWAYZ, our Jr. High Youth
ministry on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 2:00-4:00 (some activities change the time
and location). For more info, talk to Tess Oster or Angie Brown, volunteer Pathwayz Leaders, or
email, pathwayz@gpsfaith.com.
PATHWAYZ TEXT ALERTS: Youth in grades 6 - 8 and their parents: text @pathwayz to
779-373-3963 to receive Pathwayz text alerts.
READ THIS MONTH’S SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER HERE.
PRAYER AND CARE
HOSPITALIZED? If you are in the hospital and would like to be on our prayer chain or have a
pastoral visit, you must call the church office at (779) 221-8491. Also, please notify the hospital
of your affiliation with GPS Faith Community when you check in.
PRAYERLINE: If you have concerns you wish to have lifted up in prayer please notify the
prayerline by email at prayer@gpsfaith.com, call the church office at (779) 221-8491 or fill out a
prayer slip available at the Prayer and Care table at the back of the Sanctuary.
COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS
LAST SUNDAY TO SIGN UP FOR RALM TRIVIA NIGHT! Get a team together and join
the fun on Friday, Nov. 7th at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Proceeds will benefit the programs
of Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries. Cost is $15 per person (teams of 6-8 encouraged) and
includes trivia fun, chili supper, snacks, beverage and dessert. Doors open at 6 pm, play begins
at 7 pm. Sign up at the Volunteer table now! Pay in advance and receive express registration the
night of the Event - checks to RALM. Silent Auction baskets wanted! If you will donate a talent,
gift basket or other item to be auctioned, contact RALM@aol.com.
CHECK OUT ALL THE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING AT KATIE’S CUP: Visit
www.KatiesCup.com or click here for their current newsletter.
TUESDAY TALKS AT KATIE’S CUP RESUME:
Current Issues in Health
November 4 TBA
November 11 TED Talk: Rishi Manchanda - What makes us get sick, look upstream
November 18 TED Talk: Wendy Chung - Autism-What we know (and what we don’t know yet)
November 25 TED Talk: Jack Andraka - A promising test for pancreatic cancer from a teenager
Peace in Our World
December 2 TED Talk: Zak Ebrahim - I am the son of a terrorist, here’s how I chose peace
December 9 TED Talk: Meera Vijaayannn - Find your voice against gender violence
December 16 TED Talk: Simon Anholt - Which country does the most good for the world
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION/CAMPBELL’S LABELS: Save your Box Tops for
Education coupons & Campbell’s labels for Maple Elementary School. Drop them in the
collection box at the volunteer table. Thank you!
CONTACT US
Prayer line: prayer@gpsfaith.com
Pastor Rob: Pastorrob@gpsfaith.com
Lisa Short, Pastoral Assistant: Lisa@gpsfaith.com
Jodi Goldhagen, Financial Secretary: Jodi@gpsfaith.com
Christiaan Letsinger, Worship and Music Leader: Christiaan@gpsfaith.com
Leadership Team: Leadership@gpsfaith.com
Compass: Scott Heidemann & Melissa Adkins, Scott@gpsfaith.com or
madkins2001@comcast.net
Pathwayz: Vicci Gartner, Tess Oster, & Angie Brown - vgartner@comcast.net,
tootr1958@yahoo.com, or shadowdancer0779@yahoo.com
Chuck Hoening, Confirmation: Chuck@gpsfaith.com
Pat Hendren, Bulletin and Newsletter volunteer, Newsed@gpsfaith.com