December 2021 Connections by College Church In Wheaton

Connections Proclaiming the GOSPEL

local & global stories, news and events of College Church

“I love Christmas, but often find it hard to celebrate the real Christmas well.” Read Pondering Christmas by Susan Zimmerman on page 6.

DECEMBER 2021

Global Voices

I Believe!

Locally Sourced

Season of Light, Season of Darkness

Two Journeys, One Sovereign God

At the Point of Life or Death

THAD MCAULEY | 8

JERUSHA AND JAMES LUKOSE | 10

AMY RITTER | 16

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Connections December 2021

December Highlights

Prayer Gatherings

Josh Moody Is My Pastor A RADIO LISTENER

Drawing Near KATHY ANTOINE

From the Editor: Wil Triggs

Pondering Christmas SUSAN ZIMMERMAN

The Longing Poem BERT BUNN

Season of Light, Season of Darkness THAD MCAULEY

At the Point of Life or Death AMY RITTER

2022 Women's Retreat MICHELLE KELLEY

Best Books of 2021

Milestones

Looking Ahead: January Ministry Preview

Two Journeys, One Sovereign God JERUSHA AND JAMES LUKOSE

332 E. Seminary, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 668-0878 | www.college-church.org

Connections is a monthly newsletter published for and about the people of College Church. Send news items and suggestions to: connections@college-church.org. Keep Connections in mind to promote a community event to the College Church family. Send event information by the following dates: For the January issue: December 9| For the February issue: January 9 | For the March issue: February 9

CONTRIBUTORS

1 Kathy Antoine enjoys being outside and watching the flowers

bloom, and spending time with friends and family. She currently is doing contract work in hopes of a full-time role as a credit analyst soon.

2 Bert Bunn Originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, Bert and his family

now reside in Winfield. He is a manufacturing manager at a local digital printing company. He enjoys outdoor activities and attending his boys sporting events.

3 Jerusha Lukose is a homemaker and also works full time. She

5 3

4 6 3

loves to cook bake and travel. Jerusha speaks five languages and helps refugee families in their resettlement and school. James Lukose is the executive director of Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora. He is a voracious reader and passionate about the study of doctrine and theology.

4 Michelle Kelley is the ministry associate in women’s ministries, and enjoys burying her nose in a good book, long conversation over a coffee and vacations to Williamsburg, Virginia, where she has two energetic nephews and an adorable niece.

5 Thad and Joy McAuley serve with Greater Europe Mission

(GEM). After 16+ years in France, they now serve Europe-wide, Thad as GEM’s COO and Joy leads GEM’s Spiritual Life Team. They have a daughter and three sons, plus a border collie. They love Europe, French food and seeing God work!

6 Amy Ritter enjoys learning with her kids about everything from

exploding cucumbers to the Beast of Gevaudan (look it up—it's worth it). When not teaching, she enjoys reading classics, studying the Bible in depth, writing, and organizing and improving the house.

7 Don Ryan's cover art originally debuted on a Wheaton Christmas

Art Walk. Don and his wife, Alice, live in Carol Stream and have three grown children.

8 Susan Zimmerman serves as a deaconess and M2M

mentor. She loves exploring all manner of walking trails with her husband, Todd, and keeps up with their daughter and family in Oswego and son and family in Chicago. This Christmas she looks forward to creating ways to celebrate Jesus’ advent with her three grandchildren. COVER IMAGE: Don Ryan © The Jonahre Foundation Full painting shown on page 20

DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS Sunday Morning Services

Adult Communities Meet during the 9:30 hour, except for Credo, which meets at 11 a.m. NOTE: No Classes on December 26 and January 2.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.” — Hebrews 10:24-25

ALL NATIONS in C101 Dr. Jim Tebbe teaching the Book of Ruth Focus: Developing globally minded Christians through teaching, discussion and fellowship for the purpose of gospel impact. Feel free to invite people to worship with us. Join us at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Masks and social distancing required for 8 a.m. Mask-optional services at 9:30 and 11 with no registration or social distancing needed. Livestream broadcast is at 9:30 with a rebroadcast at 11. You can watch it at college-church.org/livestream • December 5: Advent 2, Communion A Better Future Hebrews 13:1-6 with Senior Pastor Josh Moody • December 12: Advent 3 A Better Future Hebrews 13:7-25 with Senior Pastor Josh Moody

CREDO in the old gym (301) - 11 a.m. Dan Godoy teaching the Heidelberg Catechism

FORUM 15 in CL01 Bruce Main teaching the Book of Judges

GREEK CLASS in the Board Room Jon Laansma (knowledge of Greek is not required for this class.) Focus: People of any age and background coming together to listen faithfully to God's Word through discussion of the original Greek wording.

JOINT HEIRS in Commons Gym

• December 19: Advent 4 Peace Luke 2:1-7 with Senior Pastor Josh Moody

Pastoral staff teaching the Sermon on the Mount

• December 26: Peace Luke 8:21-38 with Senior Pastor Josh Moody

Dan Haase teaching the Psalms of Jesus

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES • December 24: 4, 7 and 9 p.m. Peace Luke 2:8-20 with Senior Pastor Josh Moody

LOGOS in Commons Hall Focus: Strengthening knowledge of and relationship with God through interactive teaching of the Bible. Strong emphasis on building fellowship through weekly share & prayer time, as well as periodic social events.

LIVING WORD in Commons Hall Doug Moo teaching the Book of Hebrews Young parents welcome!

VERITAS in Commons Hall Neil Wright teaching the Book of Revelation

Sunday Evening Service

Grace Groups Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety and other problems with mood stability are real and need compassionate support. Living Grace and Family Grace are support groups that will meet twice a month on Monday nights. Living Grace is meant for the person who is living with the pain of difficult mental and emotional issues; Family Grace is for the person who has a loved one who struggles with these issues. For more information, email gracegroups@college-church.org.

5 p.m. services in the Sanctuary or Commons as indicated week by week. • December 5 Exodus 35-40 Congregational Meeting during the service, followed by community celebration time in Commons Hall • December 12 Children’s Christmas Program • December 19 STARS Christmas Program • December 26 No Evening Service

Women’s Ministries MONTHLY GATHERING December 11 in Commons Hall from 9-10:30 a.m.

MOM2MOM • December 6, 9:30 a.m. You and your littles are invited to a birthday party for Jesus! We'll enjoy games, singing, birthday cake and crafts. Let's kick-off December by reminding our children what Christmas is all about. • December 13, 9:30 a.m. Moms and kids outing at Cosley Zoo

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY on Christmas break starting December 15. Spring Semester starts on January 26 studying the Beatitudes.

WOMEN’S RETREAT early bird registration opens December 6, and regular pricing will start January 3. Learn more about Women’s Retreat on page 9.

Men’s Ministries

High School (HYACKS)

BIBLE STUDY

SUNDAYS

Join us Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. in the Commons (C002A-B) as we dive into our study this week.

At the Crossings for Rhythms on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m.

• December 1 1 Peter 3:1-7

• Sunday December 12: Last Sunday Rhythms of 2021 (Morning), Last Sunday Slam of 2021 (Christmas Party)

• December 8 1 Peter 3:8-12

• Wednesday, December 8: Last Bridge Fellowship of 2021

Can’t make it in person? Join for a Zoom discussion group here: Join Zoom Meeting https://college-church-org.zoom.us/j/83242907599?pwd=dG8r WUJSTnhBN0JhSUZsbTVYUDQ4dz09 Meeting ID: 832 4290 7599 Passcode: 530315

• December 15: No Bridge Fellowship

Children’s Ministries (Kids’ Harbor)

• December 5: College Group

• December 26 and January 2 Family Worship Sundays (nursery only at 9:30 and 11) • January 9 All Kids' Harbor Sunday programs resume

SUNDAYS

• December 19: No Sunday Rhythms or Sunday SLAM • December 22: No Bridge Fellowship • December 26: No Sunday Rhythms or Sunday SLAM

College Group • December 12: NO COLLEGE CONNECT but the regular College Group/ Last College Group of 2021 • December 19: No College Group • December 26: No College Group

• Nursery (0-2) at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

STARS

• Bible School (preschool-fifth grade) at 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAYS

• Wonders of Worship “WOW” (K-third grade) during second half of 11 a.m. service, ends Dec 5, returns Jan. 9 • Children’s Church (preschool) at 11 a.m. • Preschool at 5 pm. • God’s Children Sing and Children’s Choirs at 5 p.m. NOTE: There is no Kids' Harbor programming during the Children's Choir concert (December 12), STARS concert (December 19) or Christmas Eve services

WEDNESDAYS Wednesday club programs at 6:45 p.m. end December 8, resume January 26.

Middle School (KMs) • December 12: Last Sunday Foundations of 2021 • December 15: KMs Christmas Party (Last KMs Wednesday of 2021) • December 19: No KMS Sunday Foundations • December 22: No KMs Wednesday Night • December 26: No KMs Sunday Foundations • December 29: No KMs Wednesday Night

• Teen Stars at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5, 12, 19. Not meeting Dec. 26. • Young Adult/Adult Stars at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Recorded session (not meeting in person) on Dec. 26. • Young Adult/Adult Stars at 11 a.m. Dec. 5 and 12. Not meeting Dec. 19 or 26 • Inclusion Classes at 9:30 & 11 a.m. Dec. 5 and 12. Not meeting Dec. 19 or 26. • Stars Choir at 5-6:15 p.m. Dec. 5, 12. Not meeting Dec. 19 or 26.

DURING THE WEEK • Praise in Action—Teens and adults with special needs enhance their musical abilities and praise God through drums and hand chimes on Wednesdays, 6:45–8:15 p.m. Not meeting Dec 22-Jan 12. • Friday Night Fun—An evening of fun, friendship, recreation and worship for teens and adults with special needs. Not meeting in December, next meeting will be January 21. • Buddy Break—For young STARS and their siblings under 15 on Friday, Dec. 3, 6:30–9 p.m.

PRAYER GATHERINGS ONLINE & IN PERSON Call the church office or email info@college-church. org for details on these prayer meetings.

From the Editor Wil Triggs Lessons Learned and Learning God’s story in Jesus bears repeating. Over and over. If you look for incarnation, it’s surprisingly simple to find his footsteps and fingerprints all over the Bible, the church, this issue of Connections and, hopefully, our lives.

Sunday Morning Prayer 8:15-8:40 a.m. in C101 Monday Morning Prayer 6:15-7:15 a.m. Board Room Wednesday Night Prayer (Fireside/Zoom) 7-8 p.m. Led by the Missions Office • December 1: Kevin Cox • December 8: Speaker TBD • December 15: Speaker TBD • December 22: Speaker TBD • December 29: Speaker TBD Friday Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Board Room) 12-1 p.m. Led by Wil and Lorraine Triggs. The weekly prayer guide is also available at our website: https://bit.ly/2ZkqQLA

Hannah Prayer Fellowship will not meet this month but will gather in the new year.

Dorcas Missions Prayer Fellowship meets on

Wednesday, December 15, at 1:30 p.m. in The Upper Deck at Covenant Living at Windsor Park, off of Rt. 64, west of Gary Ave., Carol Stream. Jeff and Margreet Dusek will tell about their work with Missionary Athletes International (soccer) and Twice is Nice (resale store). Men and women are welcome as members or as visitors.

Aaron-Hur Prayer Fellowship will not meet this month and will resume in the new year. Our Prayer Pulse email goes out every Monday. You can get prayer updates via that email. Sign up by clicking "Enews signup" on our website. If you already receive other emails from College Church, click "manage my preferences" at the bottom of any email and select Prayer Pulse to add yourself.

Mary and Joseph in Don Ryan’s painting right on the cover. So often images are of the night sky with one shining star above. Don’s painting bathes them in daylight. That Mediterranean climate in the painting gives a sense of the heat of a warmer place. Lessons and Carols and Santa. All in Susan Zimmerman’s article, she looks back to look ahead, not so much at the holiday itself but the God-Man of Christmas and attempts to honor and know and understand. Kathy Antoines 20-year journey with her small group inspires as she says goodbye to Belinda Duvel, one of the members of the group. Longing in a poem. Though not a theme of Christmas, the exploration of food and drink makes me think of the Incarnation. How Jesus in flesh filled stomachs and souls. Thank you, Bert Bunn. Looking back at dark and light. Thad McCauley considers the year we’re just finishing. He sees God’s good hand at work. May we all see that same hand as we look either back or ahead. It’s a good missions update, too. Best books. I so enjoy seeing what others have read and loved reading this year. We have the beginning of that list this month with more to come in January. There’s more, much more. So read this month’s issue and consider the wonder of Christmas again. It’s not a Christmas carol, but the words of this old hymn challenge me to consider and share with others the wonder of the Word made flesh. Sweetly echo the gospel call, Wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, Sanctify forever. Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life.

LIFE LESSONS

Pondering Christmas Susan Zimmerman

Our decision was accompanied with solemn warnings to our children, once they started school, not to spoil any classmates’ belief in Santa. And thankfully they did really well with this. There were no reports, anyway, of tearful friends learning from our children that Santa was not who they believed he was.

I love Christmas, but often find it hard to celebrate the real Christmas well. It’s easy to enjoy seasonal delights: the warm glow of luminarias, hanging family ornaments on the tree, making my grandmother’s cranberries, exchanging gifts, savoring family time, and of course, cookies! But it’s hard to focus and let the meaning of Jesus’ birth fully impact my heart and mind. Why? I think it’s because of my captivation by my favorite seasonal delights, along with a general sense of rush and pressure to take in all that the holiday season appears to offer. As much as I enjoy all the special festivities around Christmas— and there is nothing wrong with doing so—every year I long to not let the trappings of Christmas get in the way of having the miracle of the Incarnation, the Word made flesh, penetrate my soul. I want to be like Mary and “treasure[d] up all these things, pondering them.” (Luke 2:19) Sometimes God brings experiences into our lives that help us do that. Here are two Christmases past when that happened for me.

1996: The Perfect Christmas Brunch From the time our two children were very young, we made it clear to them that Santa Claus was not real. Lest I sound like a grinch, I want to say that this was a personal decision for our family, not one we would press on anyone else. But for us, it felt right. We didn’t want Santa belief to potentially interfere with belief in Jesus. And, quite selfishly, I was not about to let our kids think we had nothing to do with the gifts we worked so hard to select, buy, assemble and wrap.

However, not emphasizing Santa hardly made me a Christmas saint. I was not above caring deeply about appearances, and the holidays were no exception. The Christmas that our daughter was in first grade and our son in four-year-old preschool, we had an opportunity to go to brunch at a nice restaurant the Sunday before Christmas. And it was shaping up to be a great family time, which was all good, but also, in my mind, something like a holiday postcard scene. The kids had new Christmas outfits! The brunch was going to be fancy and festive! The weather was Christmas cold and clear! I carefully schooled the kids about how to be on their best behavior, and after attending morning service, off we went. The brunch was lovely, and the kids sailed through the meal beautifully. They used their inside voices, ate what was on their plates, and genuinely seemed to enjoy the lights and décor. We were, I was sure, the picture-perfect holiday family. Then we walked to the front to pay our bill. The hostess, beaming with holiday cheer, approached our two children. “And what is Santa going to bring you this year?” An innocuous question at Christmas for most any child. Not for my daughter. Before I could intervene, she handled the situation. Fixing the hostess with a stern gaze, she announced, not in an inside voice, “There is no Santa Claus!” Her shout echoed across the restaurant. In an instant, the entire room went silent. The hostess looked shocked, then, she glared at me. Her look seemed to say, “What kind of parent would rob an innocent child of holiday joy?” I wish I could say that graciously, tactfully, I shared with the hostess that we focused on Jesus’ birth at Christmas instead of Santa. But I had no words. In that moment, all I wanted to do was leave. Quickly. Which we did. We did tell our daughter that what she said was right, and that we were glad she understood what Christmas was really about. We also asked her to try to remember to use her inside voice at restaurants.

In the days, and really years, since, I often have reflected on that moment. We have actually remembered it fondly as a humorous family story. But I have also wondered at my reaction. Why was I embarrassed? Why was I hesitant to at least try to share further with the hostess? Was I so determined that day to create a lovely family memory that I missed an unexpected opportunity to express what Christmas truly is? On that Christmas, and on many thereafter, my daughter’s words have echoed in my heart, “There is no Santa Claus!” There is only Jesus.

2014: Three time zones and the BBC 2014 was our first empty nest Christmas. Our daughter had gotten married in August, and our son had left for Asia, also in August, for a mid-term missions opportunity. Both of our extended families were far flung and unable to gather with us that year. Except for a small Christmas Eve dinner with our daughter and new son-in-law, it was just the two of us for the holiday. Which was fine, but we both felt a little letdown. No family Christmas morning. No big and noisy gathering around the table. No group games or family stories. It was a little too quiet.

There was time this year. At 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve, we sat at our kitchen table in Wheaton, opened up Skype on a laptop, and then used a second device to tune in to the BBC. At 11:00 pm, in a high-rise apartment, in a vast city in a remote province of a country that didn’t acknowledge Christmas, our son did the same. And at 3:00 p.m., in King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England, a choir began to sing A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, just as it has every year since 1918. For 90 minutes that Christmas Eve morning, there were no seasonal trappings. No feeling of rush or pressure. No fear of missing out on some must-do Christmas tradition. There was just the stirring simplicity of music and Scripture, telling the transcendent story of the Word made flesh, all made sweeter, surely, by the realization that this was Christmas with our son. My heart was taught, and moved, to truly ponder the amazing truth of Jesus made a babe, so he could redeem me from the need to rely on anything, at Christmas or any other time, but on him. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” —John 1:14, KJV, read as the conclusion of the ninth reading of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Shortly before Christmas we talked with our son on Skype. This was his first Christmas away from home. He was going to gather with his team on Christmas Day, but he also wanted to find a meaningful way to connect with us. Our son mentioned that he had been getting to know some people from the UK on his team and in the local expat community, and they were all telling him about the Christmas Eve broadcast of Lessons and Carols on the BBC. He had an idea: the three of us could all listen to the live broadcast at the same time, while also on Skype with each other. The broadcast was at 3:00 p.m. in the UK, 9:00 a.m. for us in Wheaton, and 11:00 p.m. for him in Asia. I had heard of the BBC’s Lessons and Carols broadcast, but never tuned in. Usually, the day before Christmas was a flurry of last-minute meal prep, setting the holiday table, final gift wrapping, and running to the store for a missed ingredient or must-have stocking stuffer. Usually, there was no time, or so I thought, to spend Christmas Eve morning listening to a program of sacred music and Scripture.

Ready to participate fully in the life and ministries of College Church? Come find out about College Church’s history, core beliefs, ministries and what it means for you to be a member. This one-day only membership opportunity will be Saturday, February 5, from 8 a.m. to noon; registration is requested. For more info, contact Christy at membership@ college-church.org, or call (630) 668-0878, ext. 175.

GLOBAL VOICES

Season of Light, Season of Darkness Thad McAuley

Each year as we enter the Christmas season, we find it worthwhile to pause and reflect on what God has done in the past year. It is easy to forget his faithfulness as we go about life. We get distracted by our concerns of the moment and focus our gaze solely on our feet and the next step ahead. We forget to raise our eyes and look up and back over our shoulder, to be reminded of all the ways that God has worked in us, through us and around us throughout the year. Taking a pause for remembrance and reflection in this season reminds us that God is always at work, in good times and bad. It gives perspective. It helps me remember that I’m a part of a larger plan. It allows me to further rejoice with gratitude in this Christmas season and to look ahead to a new year with a more humble and confident heart. So, join us now as we reflect on a few of the things God has done in 2021 to use you and us together to further his kingdom in Europe. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us …” — A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens, March 1859. Dickens could be describing this year. His description certainly aligns with ministry right now. On one hand, many people are struggling—loneliness and lack of effective community, fear and frustration that comes with societal upheaval, a sense of loss and isolation. Distanced connections. On the other hand, God is opening doors in amazing ways. A few examples: 1. GEM staff in Romania took a group of teens to camp this summer. Many accepted Christ, including a 16-year-old girl who is now out sharing the gospel, has brought several friends to Christ, and is actively discipling them. 2. GEM planned to have a large group of summer interns join our ministries all across Europe this year. But with borders closed, the only available option was to send them all to our two staff in Kosovo. Fifty-two college students arrived there for the summer. God used them as they shared the gospel and served as the hands and feet of Jesus. People came to Christ.

But another amazing aspect became clear: GEM has struggled for years to get momentum in this part of Europe and in one fell swoop God changed that. Some of these students are already making plans to return for longer terms across the region. Existing staff are transferring to the region after what they saw this summer. How we do ministry in that whole region of Europe will be changed for years to come. Most of the ministry leaders I talk to are tired after the past two years. Yet, there is much optimism for what God is doing around the world. He is at work! Nothing is a surprise for him. Aren’t we glad that we serve a God who never tires and is never surprised, no matter what we see around us! Thank you for allowing him to use you to reach Europeans for his kingdom. As always, we are incredibly grateful for your partnership to walk this path of ministry and service together,

FAITH-FILLED LONGING IN A BROKEN WORLD

2022 Women’s Retreat Michelle Kelley

I want, more than anything, to_________________. I’m earnestly praying for_________________. How would you complete these sentences? Our world today is filled with “wanting.” Turn on the radio and you’ll hear songs about people wanting a relationship, turn on the TV and you’ll be flooded with ads trying to convince you to want to buy their products. YouTube, Instagram, Facebook–all these play to our enjoyment and our consumption. Actress and television writer, Amy Poehler has said, “It doesn’t matter how much you get; you are left wanting more.” We are people who want. As Christians, it can be hard to know how to handle our desires. We see from the very beginning pages of Scripture that our desires can lead us down the road of temptation. Eve listens to the whispering voice of the serpent and chooses to sinfully take what she wants, instead of trusting what God has bountifully given.

We trust in asking; we trust in receiving. Holy trust believes that whatever God chooses to give is enough.” It can be scary to ask God for what we want. He might say no. But, when we dwell upon the words of the Bible which speak of God’s faithfulness in the past and his great love for us, we can come to him in prayer and ask for what is on our hearts. “Cast all your anxieties upon him,” Peter writes, “because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) God loves to give good gifts to his children. It can be challenging to be expectant and hopeful of God in the middle of unanswered prayers. God is not a vending machine who promises to give us everything we ask, but he does invite us to ask him for what we need, and to bring our desires before him. It is this tension, and God’s faithfulness and goodness in all of it, that we will be dwelling upon for the weekend. I hope you will join us for our Women’s Retreat on February 25-27 at the Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin. I expect it will be a rich, life-giving and formative weekend as we learn together with Jen Pollock Michel about what it looks like to have faith-filled longings in a broken world. I’ll see you there!

And yet, many of the things we want are good things–the salvation of a family member or friend, relief from pain, physical or emotional healing, a spouse, a child, a quiet weekend away or a job that uses our gifts. Jesus, too, invites his followers to pray and ask God for what we want, saying in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” And so, we come to a tension–how do we hold these things together? This is the theme for the 2022 Women’s Retreat: Faith-Filled Longing in a Broken World. We are delighted to welcome author, mother-of-five and coffee-drinker Jen Pollock Michel to join us for the weekend. Jen acknowledges this tension between longing and faith in her book Teach Us to Want. Teach Us to Want addresses the theology of desire, using the Lord’s Prayer as a foundation. Jen writes as someone who has known heart-wrenching desire and has come out of trials with faith. She pertinently connects desire and honest prayer with trusting in God. She writes, “Trust is at the center of holy desire: trust that God is good and wills good for his people.

Registration opens December 6 with early bird pricing, which ends January 2. We work hard to keep the price for the retreat as low as possible, but never want pricing to prevent you from joining us. Contact Mary DeMoss at mdemoss@ college-church.org to learn more about pricing discounts and scholarships.

I BELIEVE!

Two Journeys, One Sovereign God Jerusha and James Lukose

Jerusha’s Story I was born in a Bible-believing Christian home. My parents were full-time missionaries in India. In 1947 a Christian revival started during India’s fight for national independence. With many missionaries from Europe and the U.S. returning to their home countries, my parents—new believers in Christ from a Hindu and a nominal Christian background—stepped out in faith to serve the Lord. For their spiritual convictions, they were disowned by their parents and families. I was born and raised in an environment of complete trust in the Lord to provide, protect and guide us for every need. The church that my parents served was made up of believers from Hindu, Muslim and various other religious backgrounds, many who were also disowned and persecuted for their faith. This was my first glimpse of a first-century type of fellowship described in the Book of Acts. I grew up in a community devoted to numerous church activities, such as weekly prayer meetings, fasting and prayer, lengthy Sunday worship services, love feasts, Bible studies, youth meetings, gospel outreaches, etc. I had heard the gospel many times. However, one day during a vacation Bible school class my leader expressed the message of the cross and what Christ had done for me. I was deeply convicted of my sins and in a personal way realized that I was a sinner and needed to be reconciled to God. I needed Jesus Christ to forgive and cleanse me. Being a part of the church and even a pastor’s daughter was not enough to save me. I knew then I was saved, and a couple of years later I was baptized. My walk with the Lord was steady thereafter. I was learning the things of God and had a great desire to read God’s Word, devotionals and missionary stories. My mom and I prayed about many matters together. During college, the Lord brought a young man to our church fellowship who was initially interested in me. He was also seeking to know and understand the faith. During one of his interactions with a church elder, James heard the gospel and came to a saving knowledge of Christ. My parents and the elders of the church had been praying for the Lord’s will to be clear regarding James and me, and eventually, we were married in 1983. The Lord blessed us with our first son in 1984. Jasper was born with a congenital deformity. As a young married couple,

we had no knowledge or understanding of his medical condition. With his birth, our faith journey took a drastic turn to one now full of unknowns, fear and doubts. I regularly fell apart crying out in despair, at times fighting with the Lord asking him why. Why had he allowed this? Was this some type of punishment for a sin? What was he trying to teach us? I felt lost and in a daze. I felt like I was spiritually going through the motions. I lost interest in church activities. Many times, I did not want to be in church where my friends and other families had healthy children, all the while James and I were running to doctor’s appointments. When my husband was gone on business trips I was alone caring for the home and Jasper’s needs. God seemed so distant at times. Our son underwent a major surgery when he was eight days old. Even after the surgery he faced many health challenges. During the early years of this health journey, I learned to pray earnestly and in desperation as we struggled to care for our son with very little help from India’s medical community. In India at the time, there was not much known about his condition. The hand of God was upon our son, and we saw many answers to prayers, many miracles, and Jasper was growing physically. We as his parents and family were growing in our walk with the Lord as we learned to call on him in

our days of trouble. God answered our prayers through the decisions and unknown paths, guiding our stops and steps. Looking back, I am amazed at how the Lord overruled our foolishness and ignorance and preserved our son’s life. After two and half years the Lord blessed us with another son, Jairus. Then in 1992 the Lord opened the door for us to come to the U.S. for Jasper’s medical treatment. At first, I was excited for the opportunity for treatment. On the other hand, my heart was gripped with fear of the unknown. I was distraught with hesitation to take the step to come to the U.S., but when I prayed, I had peace and hope. The Lord was nudging us to leave our home country, church family, comfort zones and all things familiar and step out in faith to a completely new environment, culture and unfamiliar territory. Like Abraham’s journey as we studied this year in Women’s Bible Study, it was a huge leap of faith for us. Our church family in India prayed for us, and we stepped out in faith to move to Chicago not knowing how God was going to lead and guide. We trusted that the Lord was going before us to make our paths straight. Growing up I had heard many stories and testimonies of God’s mighty power and work. Now my eyes have seen the wondrous ways he led our steps and stops. He opened many doors and many hearts. Our family has gone through various experiences of pain, turmoil and uncertainties over the last 29 years in the U.S., but the Lord has never let us down. He continues to help as we walk in faith, learning to trust and obey. We desire that as a family we may be found faithful until the end, because he that has called us is faithful and he will complete what he has begun in us. We are so blessed to be part of this church family here in Wheaton, in the U.S. Here are some lessons I have learned in my walk of faith: • The Lord’s ways are not our ways; his thoughts are much higher than ours. • He makes all things beautiful in his time and he does not add sorrow with it. • According to Deuteronomy 32:11, The Lord is “like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft.” • God is good and makes all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28)

• God is faithful to keep his covenant and promises. God has fulfilled his word. “And as your days, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25). • The final lesson is that God has lifted us from despair and given us joy in our suffering. In our weakness he is our strength.

James’ Story The journey of my Catholic faith began 62 years ago after my child baptism in the southern part of India. The journey of my salvific faith began 40 years ago in the western part of India. I was living a wild and sinful life throughout my late teens. However, in college, I was attracted and drawn to a young lady who I wanted to marry because of her testimony and modesty. God used her as his instrument in leading me to my faith and the conviction that I was a lost sinner headed to eternal destruction. One Sunday evening in December 1981, I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and six months later I was baptized as an adult. In 1983, according to God’s sovereign plan, he gave me the desires of my heart and I married that young woman, my wife, Jerusha. In 1984 we were blessed with our first son, Jasper, who was born with a congenital deformity. For the first eight years of his life, we ran from pillar to post looking for answers for his health needs in India. In the meantime, God blessed us with another son, Jairus, in 1986. During this time, my wife, Jerusha, stayed home as a full-time mom and God blessed my work as I held various positions in a national organization. On one of my business trips, I was sitting in my hotel room reading the Book of Haggai. I was challenged by Haggai 1:7-8, “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,’ says the Lord.” (NIV) Even though in context I did not fully understand the implications of this passage, that night was a turning point where “serving the Lord” became a priority in my life. I also had a strong desire for formal biblical education and even thought about applying to Moody Bible Institute, but I knew that it would be next to impossible for a family of four Continued on next page

to come to the U.S. to pursue higher education. However, God in his great wisdom and power made the path possible for our family to come to Chicago in 1992—primarily for the medical treatment for my oldest son.

and from Isaiah 45, I praise God for leading me to be part of building and transforming a new ministry campus in 2015 for Wayside Cross Ministries and for serving him there faithfully since 1998.

Our pastor in India gave me the promise from Isaiah 45:1-5 as we departed for Chicago. And God fulfilled each of his promises in this Isaiah passage, including giving us the treasures of darkness through his refining work by allowing us to go through the furnace of affliction (see Isa. 48:10). Our original plan was to finish Jasper’s medical treatment and return to India in a year. But God had a different plan. Jasper went through 19 corrective surgeries in the subsequent years.

Here are some lessons I have learned along the way.

God also opened the door for me to attend Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago, where I finished my graduate degree with a master’s in biblical studies in 1998. Immediately after my graduation from Moody, I began serving as a director of two ministry divisions at Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora. Four years later I was promoted to associate executive director and in 2011 became the executive director. Looking back these many years and remembering the challenge and promises I received from the Book of Haggai

• God is sovereign: “There is no maverick molecule in the universe.” RC Sproul • Evil is ordained by God, but he is not the author of evil. “Evil is not from his character but from his purpose.” (Sproul) • “We should never call evil good or good evil, but it is good that God allowed evil for the sake of his elect.” (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23; Romans 8:28-30). I also have two guiding Scriptures that help me in practical ways to live out this Christian life. • Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV) And in all this, Micah 6:8 reminds me that “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

See the Oberammergau Passion Play with College Church Almost 400 years ago, the people of Oberammergau, Germany, were threatened by the bubonic plague, and they made a vow that if God spared their village, they would perform a passion play every ten years. Traditionally, the play is performed every year ending in zero, with only a few exceptions. 2020 was one of those exceptional years, so the Oberammergau Passion Play will be performed in 2022. We have a unique opportunity as a church to attend the play, and to explore the roots of the reformation on a Reformation and Holocaust Tour of Germany, June 12-23, 2022. Gregg Quiggle and Shelly Wildman, both College Church members, are coordinating the trip. Gregg, a Moody Bible Institute professor, along with Jerry Root (Wheaton College professor emeritus) and Mike McDuffee (a former Moody professor), will lead the group in the footsteps of Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer in places like Wittenberg, Munich, Berlin and Regensberg. The trip will culminate with a viewing of the Oberammergau Passion Play. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Shelly at discoverwalkabout@gmail.com or Gregg at gregg.quiggle@ moody.edu. Deposits are being taken now, and the trip must be filled by December 15 in order to be able to go.

RADIO LISTENER

Josh Moody Is My Pastor God Centered Life reaches spiritually hungry people around the world When a recent young God Centered Life (GCL) listener from Virginia came to know the Lord, he was hungry to learn more about his new Christian faith. A friend directed him to listen to Pastor Josh's radio ministry, God Centered Life, so he did. To share his joy, he called the GCL phone line saying he now thinks of Josh Moody as his pastor. When Stann Leff visited with him, he encouraged him to continue listening and also find a local church community of Christian believers. God Centered Life's media ministry continues to expand and reach more people every month, and we thank the Lord for this growing gospel impact. Consider website traffic: in the last 12 months more than 70,000 people have visited www. godcenteredlife.org. This is up 78% over the previous year! "Pageviews," an important internet measurement metric, totaled 192,000 during this period. This web traffic growth is absolutely remarkable. More importantly, many thousands are being challenged by the teaching sessions offered. Last year to date, listeners had accessed slightly over 20,000 audio streams of teaching (podcasts, MP3 downloads, etc.). This year, audio sessions number three times as many at more than 60,000! This online listening does not include the radio audience which is estimated at approximately 50,000 people per week.

While grasping these numbers can be challenging, as a congregation we should remember: the Lord is using the teaching of our church's pulpit over and over again, touching lives and hearts far beyond the four walls of College Church! Let's thank him for this growing global impact.

God Centered Life Visit Pastor Josh’s Bible-teaching ministry at godcenteredlife. org. You can have daily devotionals delivered right to your inbox. There is also a daily teaching program streamed online, through podcasts and at over 50 radio stations nationally. You can listen locally on Moody Radio (WMBI) at 10 p.m. M-F and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Your prayers and partnership with this ministry are greatly appreciated.

The Messiah by Handel SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, AT 3 P.M. AT COLLEGE CHURCH

Enjoy the outstanding musical artistry of Camerata Chicago and its choir performing Handel's Messiah (Part I Christmas) with the Hallelujah Chorus and Zadok the Priest! At the heart of our elite choir are some of the top choristers in Chicago. We have four wonderful soloists all conducted by Maestro Drostan Hall: Josefien Stoppelenburg, Lauren Decker, Jonathan Johnson and Gerard Sundberg. This concert is sponsored by the Tyndale House Foundation. Camerata Chicago Orchestra and Choir Use coupon code CCCC for a 25% DISCOUNT.

Tickets: cameratachicago.org

Children may attend free.

This event is not sponsored by or a function of College Church

SIDE BY SIDE

Drawing Near Kathy Antoine

When Belinda Duvel, a friend and much-loved member of Kathy Antoine’s small group entered the presence of Jesus, Kathy had the honor to speak at her celebration of life service in October. Kathy not only shares part of her talk but also some insights on the staying power of a small group that began in 2001. I was honored to be able to speak as a best friend of Belinda and representing our small group. I first met Belinda in 2003 in her home, where she had been hosting a small group of seven single gals from College Church in a Bible study since 2001. The original group of seven had become four, and three of us joined in 2003 and one more woman joined in February 2020. We call our group “Drawing Near,” based on James 4:8, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” After talking about Belinda and our small group at her celebration of life service, I was asked to share some insights of how our group has stayed together. For the last 18-20 years, our small group has drawn near to God by studying the Bible together, trusting him, having faith and praying together twice a month. We switch up studying a book of the Bible and then a book from a Christian author. We’ll go through a book of the Bible—sometimes with a study guide and sometimes with questions such as what surprised you about the passage or what commands were given and other questions along those lines. We also will go through a book by a Christian author, and currently are going through Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund and using the newly released workbook. Our small group really enjoys being together outside of study and prayer time too. Each group member may not be able to attend each event, but all are welcome. We have gone on women’s retreats together. We have gone apple picking with other mutual friends and the husbands some group members married along the way. We enjoy summer band concerts at

Memorial Park. We celebrate birthdays, Christmas and the Superbowl. We have a standing Sunday lunch for the group and anyone else who wants to join. Four of us attend the same Adult Community, two families vacation together, and one member has “season tickets” to another member’s son’s school orchestra performances and also catches some sporting events. We have helped each other in many of life’s challenges. Our group has had its share of surgeries and medical procedures. One member reminisced how two summers in a row she had medical issues and one summer a member took all her laundry home and brought it back all clean and on hangers. The second summer another member and her son did the same. Then there were the meals brought over while recuperating. She spoke how that ministered to her and meant so much to her. Our group even went tent camping three years in a row. Belinda had joined on the last two trips. She was adventurous and courageous. She helped prepare the meals and hiked and explored with us. The camping trip to end all camping trips was to Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin as it turned out to be a rainy weekend, filled with mishaps. We were all ready to go to a motel but decided to stick it out. The next day we went to an outlet mall, and all seemed right again. As a small group, we have shared in each other’s job losses and searches. Everyone in the group has changed jobs at least once. One gal worked on Sundays and found the group to be very welcoming as she had a harder time plugging in when working the weekends. Now she has a new job, a Monday through Friday job, which allows her to participate much more. Our small group has developed strong friendships and we are in mourning over our dear friend Belinda Duvel. We all share

so many lovely memories and feel her loss deeply. The rest of this article are the words I shared at her celebration service. Belinda would move mountains to come alongside to share in your joy or your grief no matter how hard it was for her physically and asking us how she could pray for us. I will never forget her joy as she shared in my joy of my first ever, long-awaited and prayed for house and how she stood by me in my grief in the passing of my mom. Belinda and her dad drove nine hours roundtrip to be with me at my mom’s funeral service, what a surprise and what a support. Belinda was our encourager. She would encourage us in our group’s job searches, numerous losses of family members and she also shared in the joys of three weddings, two sons, birthday celebrations and holiday dinners. Our small group has lived life together for 18 years as a family, as sisters in Christ. I miss her so much, but I picture her hearing every word in heaven, pain free and jumping for joy and that shifts my focus from my loss to her gain of being with her heavenly Father and getting to see his face. For years I have been telling Belinda she is the strongest person I know. We watched over time how her health diminished, and our God got bigger. It was because she entrusted her life to Christ daily. She continues to influence us, and she has impacted our small group with her kind, caring ways and all her prayers have shown us how to love deeply. Belinda has taught us that life is short, don’t neglect what is truly important, our days are numbered by God and life without Christ is empty. Belinda had a full life, and her life continues in heaven. Our small group family looks forward to seeing her again in heaven when our days are done here on earth.

The Longing Bert Bunn I long for the wine that Jesus made, that came not from vine, but when He prayed. Good wine from Cana, sweeter still, To quench both longing and selfish will. I long for the bread brought by the Lad, Along with fishes all he had. Food to nourish and assuage, My empty longing throughout this age. I long for water, drawn not from a well; Once offered to a woman who at once could tell; Springs of water living within, That once received save from sin. I long for the supper at table with Christ, The cup to share his blood sufficed. Unleavened bread broken and torn, As his body for us has borne. I long for those, gone on before, No pain, no want, their bodies pure. At rest in glory, beside the throne Their faith complete, their race reached home.

LOCALLY SOURCED

At the Point of Life or Death Amy Ritter

Pro-life work has often required that we stand outside in freezing temperatures. The past few years, my husband, Kris, our five kids (now ages 8-18) and I have attended the Chicago March for Life that’s always in January. Why, we wonder, was Roe v. Wade handed down in winter’s coldest month? But I reflect, as my hands and feet flirt with frostbite, that perhaps a touch of hypothermia adds force to the witness that life in the womb matters. Back in the late last millennium, what my children consider the murky mists of time (that is the 90s), Kris and I were students at Wheaton College and cabinet members of Voice for Life. Propelled by a sense that “all that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing,” and convinced abortion is the great moral issue of our time, we regularly prayed outside an abortion clinic in Aurora. Eventually, we launched into sidewalk counseling, using the precious seconds as women walk into a clinic to try to dissuade them from abortion. In this we weren’t practiced, but we were present, and the Lord made the most of that. During our first two weeks outside the clinic, three girls changed their minds…one after I’d only managed to blurt out “there are other options!” She returned to us to find out what the other options were. One morning we were at our post outside the clinic when a man drove by—his car lurching as he flung curses and his middle finger at us. He pulled to a halt at the intersection and confronted a friend of ours, and began screaming at him, “Are you afraid of death?” Our friend, a Christian and older veteran of this fight, replied, “No, I welcome death.” There was a pregnant pause. Abruptly, the man pulled a gun, aimed it at our friend, and said, “You don’t know how close to death you are.” Another pause. An ominous click of the gun being cocked. Were we going to see a man die—bloodily born into heaven? We waited, life and death hanging in the balance. Suddenly, the man whipped his gun back, got into his car and screeched off. Although we well knew that abortion is part of a larger spiritual war, there is an exquisite clarity that comes at gunpoint. The danger to souls, like that of this angry man as well as to bodies, only increased our intention to keep fighting. Kris and I married after junior year, and continued the work in grad school, first in seminary (after ascertaining that “Seminarians for Life” did not mean “Seminarians into Perpetuity”), and in Jus Vitae at Notre Dame. We began the pro-life work of having our own kids. I was pregnant with our oldest, Elena, during my last year of seminary, and eight months along when we went to a National Right to

Life banquet at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City (and incidentally, on our way in, were jokingly asked the way to the grand ballroom by Ben Stein in a tux and white sneakers). When bagpipers played during the event, Elena started leaping and twisting about in the womb, despite severe space limitations. She loves bagpipes to this day. It was very clear to us that children are a blessing. But if war has its moments of clarity, it also has its fog. I recognized a confusion that may arise at life’s turning points…a kind of moral cloudiness in the face of difficult, life-altering events. Did God really say? can be a tempting voice. Some of my friends confessed to me their past abortions. I heard fellow married seminarians whispering how they had just gone through aborting what would have been their firstborn— because “it wasn’t the right time.” And I knew how formidable a pregnancy can seem, even when you are ready and willing. Instead of viewing abortion as a moral contagion “out there,” I began to see how any of us could fall, and how possible and ordinary an evil decision may become. My grandpa was a botanist in North Carolina, and during one field trip in the Appalachians, he was on a mountainside lecturing his class. He was pacing, as professors do, and took a few steps backward. Instantly he vanished from view as he fell backward off a cliff. Apparently, fog had rolled in until it was even with a cliff edge. He plummeted at least fifteen feet, bashing his head on the way down and scaring his students half to death. Help came with a stretcher, but botanical adventures were rudely truncated that day. And this is partly what motivates me now: knowing that moral cliff edges lurk near all of us, and not wanting anyone to miss

Year-End Giving to College Church out on the Lord’s adventures. When we’re at the point of choosing life or death, we need the warning, and the restoration if we choose wrongly.

We invite each of us to prayerfully invest in the work of the kingdom of God in and through College Church.

As the Lord said, “I set before you life and death. Choose life, that you may live.” Life and death were starkly contrasted sixteen years ago on the Notre Dame quad, as Kris and I stood at a cross graveyard, a memorial for victims of abortion. It was hushed and deserted, but two-year-old Elena was twirling between the rows of crosses. The sun shone brilliantly on her wavy red hair, highlighting her vibrancy like rays illuminating stained glass. Someone with us quietly remarked, “There’s a photograph waiting to happen.”

GIFTS IN PERSON: Cash envelope contributions or checks may be dropped off at the church office until 5 p.m., Friday, December 31. Or they can be dropped through the mail slot on the southernmost door of the Commons until midnight December 31. Contributions dropped off after midnight will be credited to 2022 even if the check or cash envelope is dated 2021.

There is so much life waiting to happen—spiritual and physical. Pro-life work is really gospel work, at the crossroads of sorrow and joy, sin and mercy, ashes and beauty. So our family does what we can, and we are even coming full circle as Elena has developed her own pro-life convictions and joined Voice for Life at Wheaton College. Above all, we aim to help others at the point of life and death, and join the Lord’s work building his body—from the littlest bodies on up!

Peace in the Womb Christmas Caroling on Saturday

At Christmas we celebrate hope for the world through the birth of a Jesus. Join the Sanctity of Human Life Task Force in cooperation with Pro-Life Action League as they sing carols of Christmas hope and pray that God will change the hearts of those entering Planned Parenthood in Aurora. Organized carol-singing at abortion facilities can move people who hear the Christmas caroling outside to not go through with abortion. For more information visit college-church.org/sohl. Details will be published as they become available.

CHECKS IN THE MAIL: Checks received in the mail with the envelope postmarked December 31 or earlier will be credited to 2021, but those postmarked after December 31 will be credited to 2022 even if the check is dated 2021. ONLINE GIFTS: Making online gifts is easy through our website at college-church.org by clicking on “Our online giving” on the Giving page of the website. Gifts made before midnight on December 31 will be credited to 2021. Online gifts made after midnight will be credited to 2022. GIFTS OF STOCKS OR MUTUAL FUNDS: In order for a stock gift to be credited for 2021, it must be received by Monday, December 27. To make a gift of stock or mutual funds, call the Church Office at (630) 668-0878 and ask for Deb Carlburg, ext. 127, or Nancy Singer, ext. 113. For the second year, the IRS is allowing donors to contribute cash in an amount up to 100% of their Adjusted Gross Income to churches. Contact your tax advisor for details. If you currently use contribution envelopes, a new box for 2022 with your name on it will be available in the Narthex. If you do not have contribution envelopes and would like a box, or if you would like to transition to online giving, please email debcarlburg@college-church.org for help.

BOOKSTALL

Best Books 2021 We asked church leaders what were the best books they read this year. Here are some of their answers.

KEN HEULITT #1

SUZANNE SHIRLEY #1

City of Tranquil Light

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

by Bo Caldwell A missionary couple pour out their faith and life in China

#2 The Message of Jeremiah by Christopher J. H. Wright

by Laura Hillenbrand

#2 Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity

A fine pastoral commentary on Jeremiah

by Alisa Childers

#3 Joseph and His Brothers

TAD WILLIAMS #1

by Thomas Mann, John Woods translation

One Assembly: Rethinking the Multisite and Multiservice Church Models

A deep and fascinating re-telling of Jacob and Joseph and his brothers. Very rich but demanding fiction.

by Jonathan Leeman

NANCY TAYLOR #1

7 Ways to Pray

Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age

by Amy Boucher Pye

by Jay Y. Kim

Practical guide to prayer practices with some built-in exercises

CHERYCE BERG

Engaging Your Teen's World

After the Last Border: Two Families and the Story of Refuge in America

by David Eaton & Jeremiah Callahan Understanding what today's youth are thinking, doing and watching

by Jessica Goudeau Finally—an honest and heart-wrenching look at what it means to be a refugee, told by an amazing Christian woman who sees each one as created in God's image

DANIKA KING #1

ANDREW NELSON #1

The Aurora Cycle

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution

by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

by Carl R. Trueman

Hamnet

Anxious People

by Maggie O'Farrell

by Fredrik Backman

#3 The Wingfeather Saga

MARK BERG #1

by Andrew Peterson

Managing the Professional Services Firm by Daniel Maister Excellent, though thick, read.

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain

A Gentleman in Moscow

by George Saunders

by Amor Towles Amazing writer of the English language

AMY KRUIS MARK BERG

Gentle and Lowly

by Jerry Bridges

by Dane Ortlund

Daily devotional with rich content

Holiness Day by Day

continued next page

BOOKSTALL

MILESTONES

Best Books 2021 continued JEFF OSLUND #1 The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom by Corrie Ten Boom, John Sherrill , Elizabeth Sherrill Challenging and inspirational story highlighted by amazing examples of faith and prayer

#2 Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot by Elisabeth Elliot The faith filled, disciplined focus on communicating the good news of Jesus from the USA to Ecuador is challenging and encouraging

JEREMY TAYLOR Sooley by John Grisham I always feel a bit of trepidation when recommending a fiction book, especially one by a mainstream author. I believe John Grisham is a Christian, and he incorporates a fair amount of Christian world view into his novels, but they are intended for a general audience and do contain some objectionable material. Nevertheless, I think this is an important book because it highlights a very nonfiction humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold in South Sudan, the world's newest country and one that few Americans know much about. Grisham combines tragic real-world events with a fictionalized but still somehow familiar tale of heroism in the sports world to create a very readable, entertaining, and educational novel. This book is not for kids and should be read with caution. But it should be read. While you're reading, pray for the people of South Sudan. You can purchase books on Sunday morning at the corner bookstall, or visit our online bookshop at https://us.10ofthose. com/collegechurch/ for a wider selection.

Births • Delaney Jo was born to Sam and Jackie VanHeest on November 16. Delaney joins her big sister Madison. • Reid Joseph was born to Steve and Annie Gentzler on October 25. He joins his siblings Tess and Weston. His maternal grandmother is Sue Bowen.

Deaths • Pray for Harry (Wendy) Robinson and family as they grieve the loss of Harry’s mother, Joan Robinson, who passed away on November 29 in Ireland. Pray for the Robinsons as they make travel and service arrangements. • Pray for Richard (‘Dick”) and Greg Stahler (Liz) and families as they grieve the death of Dick’s wife and Greg’s mother, Patricia (“Pat’), who passed away on November 21. • Pray for Pastor Josh and Rochelle Moody and family as they grieve the death of Rochelle’s father, who passed away on November 21 in England. • Pray for family and friends of College Church member David Reed, who passed away on November 15. • Pray for Kathy (Danny) Arciaga and family as they grieve the loss of Kathy’s mother, Mary McInnes, who passed away on November 8, in McKinney, Texas. • Pray for Andrew Agnew and family as they grieve the loss of Andrew’s mother, Irene Jones, who passed away on November 7. • Pray for Laura Billsten and family as they grieve the loss of Laura’s husband, Paul, who passed away on November 6.

The original painting by Don Ryan (shown in part on the cover) was created for the Christmas Art Walk in Wheaton in 2017.

LOOKING AHEAD JANUARY MINISTRY PREVIEW

College Group • January 2: No College Group • January 9: No College Group • January 16: First College Group of 2022

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21 5:30 p.m., Dinner at 6 Presentation to follow Wallace Alcorn will present the largely untold story of William Henry Brisbane: The Glory of a Hated Man: From Slaveholder to Abolitionist. Brisbane was an ordained Baptist pastor, medical doctor and slave-holding South Carolina planter. Becoming convinced the Bible does not favor slavery, he freed his own slaves in 1837. He was driven from the south and dismissed from several churches where he preached against slavery. Wallace Alcorn is Bisbane’s biographer, having obtained Brisbane’s journals, sermons and speeches over 40 years of research and study. Wallace Alcorn has written a forthcoming full length critical biography and has published and presented many articles and papers on Brisbane.

HYACKS • Sunday, January 9: First Sunday Rhythms of 2022, Sunday SLAM of 2022

• Wednesday, January 12: First Bridge Meeting of 2022

KMs • January 2: No KMs Sunday Foundations • January 5: KMs Wednesday Night (first one of 2022) • January 9: First Sunday Foundations of 2022

Reservations (or cancellations) must be made by January 18. Meeting fee is $10 per person. Kindly RSVP on a Sunday Connect Panel, email Keenagers@college-church.org, or call the church at (630) 668-0878.

Are You New to College Church?

If so, you’re invited to our Visitors Lunch on Sunday, January 23 at noon in the lobby outside the Sanctuary. Come and meet pastors and staff, learn about College Church and find out how you can get involved. Lunch is on us!

December 2021 Connections

Articles inside

Looking Ahead

Milestones

Best Books 2021

Year-End Giving to College Church

At the Point of Life or Death

The Longing

Drawing Near

Josh Moody Is My Pastor

See the Oberammergau Passion Play with College Church

Two Journeys, One Sovereign God

Faith-Filled Longing in a Broken World

Season of Light, Season of Darkness

Life Lessons: Pondering Christmas

From the Editor

Prayer Gatherings Online & In Person

December Highlights

Contributors