October 2022 Connections

CONNECTIONS

AND

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 02 October Highlights

PAGE 05

From the Editor

WIL TRIGGS

PAGE 06

Deer-through-windshield Faith

DEREK JOHANIK

PAGE 08

My Journey Through Cancer

BARBARA SHOEMAKER

PAGE 10 Milestones

PAGE 11

Artist Spotlight— Philip Hossu

PAGE 11 Prayer Gatherings

PAGE 12

Seasons of Helpfulness VIRGINIA HUGHES

PAGE 14

A Boutique Shopping Experience

LINDA MURPHY, CONTRIBUTOR

PAGE 15

Handle with Care

PAGE 16

Missions & Community Outreach Festival

CURT MILLER

PAGE 17

Don’t Follow Your Heart MATT SMETHURST

PAGE 19

The Land of The Red Dust STEVE KROGH

PAGE 20 Meet Your Leaders

PAGE 21

Stabilize Your Soul JOAN ENGESETH

PAGE 22

Diapers for Dear Ones KARA BETH VANCE

PAGE 24 Under the Radar

PAGE 26 At the Bookstall

PAGE 27 Looking Ahead

PAGE 28 Campus Maps

Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Josue Alvarado, pastoral resident | Matt Anthony, pastoral resident | Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries | Roger Burgess, pastor of visitation | Julie Clemens, director of disability ministries | Erik Dewar, pastor of worship and music Baxter Helm, high school pastor | Dan Hiben, middle school pastor | Tim Hollinger, technology director | Howard Kern, facilities director Bruce Main, pastor of visitation | Josh Maurer, pastor of discipleship | Curt Miller, missions pastor | Josh Moody, senior pastor Richard Moomjian, pastoral resident | Ben Panner, college pastor | Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries | John Seward, executive pastor | Nancy Singer, director of administration and finance | Wil Triggs, director of communications

Our Council of Elders: David Bea | Mark Berg | Howard Costley, chair | Dave Gieser, vice chair | Randy Jahns | Heinrich Johnsen Josh Moody, senior pastor | Jeff Oslund | Roger Sandberg | Davi d Setran | Jeremy Taylor, secretary | Chad Thorson | Brian Wild man

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 November issue: October 9

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

For the December issue: November 9 | For the January issue: December 9

JOAN ENGESETH

The Board of Deaconesses and greeting Sunday worshipers are ideal ways for Joan to serve as she loves to help people. Joan also enjoys good coffee and good conversations.

PHILIP HOSSU

has attended College Church since childhood. He completed a graduate degree in computer science/applied math in 2021 and currently works in financial services. In his spare time, Philip is a self-taught watercolor painter, currently exploring landscapes.

VIRGINIA HUGHES

has served in many ways over the years, mainly those related to children and the deaconess board ministries. She and her husband, Roger, have three grown daughters and often drive to Ann Arbor (MI) to visit their two-year-old grandson.

DEREK JOHANIK

has been involved with College Group since 2020 and plans to graduate from Wheaton College in 2023. In his free time, Derek enjoys being with people and writing.

LINDA MURPHY

Linda’s time at Wheaton Grad School helped rebuild lost memories and prepare her for serving in our kitchens, the Kindergarten Bible school room, and now the church gardens and Repeat Boutique Center. She loves using the beauty of color and textures to encourage people and point them to Jesus.

BARBARA SHOEMAKER

a College church member, lives at Windsor Park in Carol Stream, where she enjoys singing in the choir, playing in the bell choir, playing bridge, reading and crafting. She has four adult children and eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was married for over 60 years to her husband, Kent, who passed away in October 2021.

MATT SMETHURST

is lead pastor of River City Baptist Church, a new congregation in Richmond, Virginia, and longtime editor for The Gospel Coalition. He’s the author of several books, including Before You Open Your Bible, Before You Share Your Faith and Deacons . Matt and his wife, Maghan, have three young children.

KARA BETH VANCE

currently serves as a mentor with the College Group discipleship team and with our Sanctity of Human Life task force. She works in Wheaton as a financial planner. Kara Beth just finished listening to all the Harry Potter books and made a hard shift to reading a book on strength training philosophy.

STEVE KROGH

For over thirty years, Steve served in pastoral ministry in California and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Steve and his wife, Lois, are charter members of College Church’s most recent church plant, Christ Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He currently serves with Training Leaders International.

COVER

OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES

Everyone welcome

Join us at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Livestream broadcast is at 9:30 with a rebroadcast at 11. You can watch it at college-church.org/livestream

The Gospel of Jesus

Pastor Josh Moody preaching on Mark

OCTOBER 2: Who Gets It and Who Doesn’t, Mark 6

OCTOBER 9: True (and False) Religion, Mark 7:1-30

OCTOBER 16: Missions and Community Outreach Festival, Matt Smethurst, lead pastor of River City Church, Richmond, VA, speaking

OCTOBER 23: Missions and Community Outreach Festival, Steve Krogh, College Church missionary with Training Leaders International, speaking

OCTOBER 30: Hearing and Really Hearing, Mark 7:31-8:21

SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICES

Everyone welcome.

In Commons Hall at 5 p.m. unless noted

The Church of the Gospel

OCTOBER 2: Community Celebration in the Sanctuary: Ten Foundational Principles of a God Centered Life , Josh Moody preaching

OCTOBER 9: 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Felipe Chamy preaching

OCTOBER 16: Missions and Outreach Festival

OCTOBER 23: Missions and Outreach Festival

OCTOBER 30: 1 Timothy 5:1-16, Matt Anthony preaching

ADULT COMMUNITIES

ALL NATIONS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104F

• TEACHER: Jim Tebbe

• STUDY: The Mission of God in Scripture—Daniel 1-6, seven signs in John’s gospel, end of Acts after Paul’s arrest, messages to the seven churches in Revelation

• DESCRIPTION: Exploring the mission of God in Scripture through Bible study. There will also be testimonies, information about and prayer for the church in different parts of the world.

FORUM 15 Sundays 9:30 a.m. in CL01

• TEACHER: Bruce Main

• STUDY: Life of Christ

• DESCRIPTION: In-depth study of important times in the life of Christ

GREEK CLASS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room

• TEACHER: Jon Laansma

• STUDY: 1 John.

• DESCRIPTION: knowledge of Greek is not required for this class.

LIFE TOGETHER COMMUNITY Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Commons Gym

• TEACHER: Teaching Team

• STUDY: Varying Topics

• DESCRIPTION: Authentic, biblical community for adults ages 25–40

LIVING WORD Sundays 9:30AM in C104A & C104C

• TEACHER: Doug Moo, Josh Maurer and Felipe Chamy

• STUDY: 1 & 2 Thessalonians

• DESCRIPTION: Fellowship and exposition of 1 & 2 Thessalonians, with application to life today

LOGOS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104E

• TEACHER: Dan Haase

• STUDY: The Gospel of John

• DESCRIPTION: Appeal of Jesus

THRIVE Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Crossings-Clapham Main Area

• TEACHER: Teaching Team

• STUDY: Varying Topics

• DESCRIPTION: Biblical community for 40s to mid-50s, including: single/married/widowed/divorced. Join us to be encouraged and thrive.

VERITAS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104B & D

• TEACHER: Neil Wright

• STUDY: Book of Revelation—Young parents are welcome!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (KIDS’ HARBOR)

SUNDAY MORNING

NURSERY (0-2) at 9:30 and 11 a.m. BIBLE SCHOOL (preschool-fifth grade) at 9:30 a.m.

WONDERS OF WORSHIP “WOW” (K-third grade) during second half of 11 a.m. service

CHILDREN’S CHURCH (preschool) at 11 a.m. PRESCHOOL at 5 p.m.

GOD’S CHILDREN SING (Kindergarten and Pre-K) and CHILDREN’S CHOIRS (grades 1-6) at 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS

KIDS’ HARBOR WEDNESDAY CLUBS at 6:45 p.m.

The Wednesday clubs include Pioneer Girls (grades 1-5) and Boys Brigade (grades 1-5). Join us this year.

STARS DISABILITY

SUNDAYS

INCLUSION CLASSES at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

CHILDREN/TEEN STARS at 9:30 and 11 a.m. in C001 & C003 Commons Tunnel Level

YOUNG ADULT/ADULT/MULTIGENERATIONAL classes at 9:30 and 11 a.m. in C002 & C005 Commons Tunnel Level

STARS Choir at 5 p.m. in CL01 Commons Gym Level

WEDNESDAYS

PRAISE IN ACTION at 6:45 p.m. in Welsh Hall in Sanctuary building

FRIDAYS

BUDDY BREAK on October 7, 6:30 p.m. in Commons Tunnel Level

Friday Night Fun on October 7, 6:30 p.m. in Commons Gym Level

MIDDLE SCHOOL (KM s )

SUNDAY MORNING FOUNDATIONS, 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the KMs room

WEDNESDAYS large group gathering, 6:45-8:15 p.m. Crossings East

HIGH SCHOOL (HYACKS)

SUNDAYS at 9:30 a.m. in the Crossings Discipleship in the Crossings at 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Crossings—Clapham West

COLLEGE GROUP

SUNDAYS at 10:45 a.m. in the Crossings Building Gospel Friendships, Shaping Biblical Convictions

HOME GROUPS: Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. Bible Study of Romans

20 s GROUP

A landing place for you to grow in Christian community and launching pad to send you out in the ministry and mission of the church. Weekly gatherings and events. For more information, contact Kaitie Girgis at kgirgis@ college-church.org

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Morning: 9:30-11 a.m. Evening: 6:45-8:15 p.m. *fall break on October 19

This fall, we’ll study the Book of Deuteronomy. Through this last book of the Pentateuch, we see the unfolding story of redemption as God chooses a people to set apart for his specific purposes. We’ll look at this Old Testament book through a New Testament lens, seeking to better understand God’s revelation of himself and what this means for us today.

Next spring, we look forward to diving into Luke’s Gospel and seeing the compassion of Christ revealed. We anticipate a joyful and fruitful journey together this year. To register, visit our website.

MEN’S MINISTRIES

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

6:45-8:15 p.m.

Commons C002 (tunnel level)

*fall break on October 19

This fall, both Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies will study the Book of Deuteronomy. There’s no registration needed, and we look forward to seeing you as we gather around God’s Word together. Our hope is to cultivate a hunger for God and an ability to handle God’s Word in daily life.

Next spring, we will study the Gospel of Luke together.

MENS GATHERING

Saturday, October 8, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

GROUNDS DAYS

Saturday, October 8 , 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

VISITORS LUNCH

Know someone new to College Church? If so, invite them to join you for a casual lunch in the Narthex (the Sanctuary Lobby) catered by Jason’s Deli on Sunday, October 9 at noon. Lunch is on us! Come and meet pastors and staff, learn about College Church and find out how you can get involved. Help us plan by checking the box on the online connect panel, use the QR code, or by emailing welcome@collegechurch.org

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 about 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 a schedule or more information, email gracegroups@collegechurch.org , or register using the QR code.

GRIEFSHARE

Despite it being part of life, death is never easy. It hurts to lose someone, and it may be hard to feel optimistic about the future. GriefShare is a 13-week class which features video seminars with experts, focused group discussions and personal study and reflection that can help you face your challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.

GriefShare meets in Commons Hall (location has changed) on Mondays at 7-8:30 p.m. You are welcome to begin attending GriefShare on any week. Each session is “self-contained,” so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will find encouragement and help whenever you begin. For more information, contact Christy at griefshare@ college-church.org , or register using the QR code.

KEENAGERS

Join the senior adults (55+) of College Church on Friday, October 28, as we enjoy a delicious dinner together, followed by a meaningful program. This evening brings us face to face with the plight of today’s persecuted Christians. Dr. Yousaf Sadiq, a professor at Wheaton College, his wife, Ruth, and their two children will join us to share their amazing story. Yousaf is a published author and translator of the Psalms into Punjabi. Don’t miss their singing of the psalms. The evening begins with a reception at 5:30, dinner at 6 and the program at 7 p.m. Reservations are required by October 25 by emailing keenagers@college-church.org

MEMBERSHIP

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. Meets Saturday, October 29, from 8 a.m. until noon; registration is requested. For more info, contact Christy at membership@college-church.org , or register using the QR code.

FROM THE EDITOR

CHANGING COLORS, UNCHANGING GOD

I remember the time I walked across the campus of Wheaton College and realized people were now looking at me not like I was a student, but more like I had to be a member of the faculty or staff or a visiting parent or grandparent on campus out of season.

Whatever young means, I realized I wasn’t there anymore.

“Youth is wasted on the young,” said someone. Maybe it was George Bernard Shaw, though what I’ve found in search for him is slightly different. The actual Shaw quote I’ve been able to find is, “Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.”

If this is true, well, we might just as well say that life itself is wasted on the living. But I think life is never wasted on anyone. Time and aging are not wasted; they are a celebration.

Autumn is a beautiful example of this. The days grow short, and the summer greens give way to blazing yellows, oranges and reds. God’s creation changes but his beauty never ends.

This month’s Connections demonstrates God’s goodness and work in people of all ages. Life is never wasted at any age when the Spirit of God is at work. And he is at work. Facing cancer like Barbara Shoemaker or a car colliding with a deer like Derek Johanik, God’s hand of strength and protection, his love and sovereignty rule our lives. Together we discover that there are things to learn, ways to grow, steps of faith to take.

A father helping a son brings him both COVID and poison ivy—a metaphor for serving in the church, one that seems both positive and spot on. Virginia Hughes points us to be faithful in the beautiful seasons of live and service.

It’s a great joy to experience yet another missions festival. Both festival missions speakers contribute to this month’s issue as well. Matt Smethurst goes against the grain of popular culture in another direction with his “Don’t Follow Your Heart.” Steve Krogh brings his pastoral insight to life in the context of another culture.

And looking to our local outreach, we have special articles on Repeat Boutique and a drive to help Caring Network.

In the midst of apples and pumpkins, let’s focus our hearts of the magnificence of creation, and on the abundant and never-ending love of the Creator.

BELIEVE

Deer-through-windshield Faith

Derek Johanik

I am currently involved in the College Group here at church, and the last year has been tremendously developmental for me because of the ways God has been working through and around me.

I hope that my story can be one of encouragement for you, especially if you are in college and likely dealing with the same things I have been dealing with.

I have struggled on and off with apathy during my time in college. Just when I found myself growing in relationship with the Lord, I would become enticed by the things of this world and subconsciously begin to drift away from him toward more temporal things.

I fell into patterns where the focus of my attention and wor ship was sadly not on Christ, but rather on school, football, relationships and many other things that managed to steal my gaze away from my Savior. Patterns of sin became more established because I was not assessing my actions before the Lord and others regularly due to distraction. Yet, at the right time, God reached out and showed me his faithful love even when I was drifting.

On January 2—the second day of the new year—a friend and I left his house in Knoxville, Tennessee, to drive down to Atlanta for the Passion Con

ference.* I had been in a spiraling pattern of apathy for a few months in which the Lord felt distanced from me.

Much of it was what I mentioned before: a fundamental misplacement of my

priorities and desires that shifted my focus to the fleeting things of this world. I was beginning to truly drift away from the Lord, and it was in that very moment that he reminded me that my relationship with him is not dictated by my effort or even my feelings, but by his unrelenting, unconditional love. I was called that morning in my quiet time with the Lord to remember his presence and to obey him.

I sensed the Lord’s presence more than I had in a long time, and I do not believe that he chose to reveal himself to me in such a way on that specific day by mere chance. I would come to realize that his presence is my life, my hope. Even in my doubt and distraction, the Lord would remind me what was true of him in his faithful presence and unfailing love.

We were about an hour south of Knoxville later that day, on our way to the conference when, in an instant, the fleeting things of this world truly showed themselves to be fleeting. Four of us were in a small Honda Civic, when a deer jumped out into the road too quickly for us to react, and the car hit the deer. The deer went through the windshield straight to the back seat, skimming my face and narrowly avoiding my buddy, who was driving. All of us braced, eyes closed, including our driver, for the inevitable impact. Instead, by the grace of God, the car ended up parked perfectly on the shoulder of the interstate—and we were all safe. The paramedic at the scene said that in 31 years he had never seen anyone live through an accident where the deer went through the windshield.

I was in shock initially, but when I came around, I was flooded with thankfulness to the Lord for his mercy. I learned that the Lord remains faithful to his people even when we stumble or find ourselves lost. He does not quit, instead he reminds us that there is urgency in this life, urgency to proclaim the name of Jesus no matter the opposition or comfortability, and that the time to do that is now, not waiting until this fragile life is over.

After the accident, I was distinctly convicted to engage more with the family of God. Too long had I tried and tried and tried to go at this life alone. I got plugged in with College Group and have been tremendously blessed by godly leadership and relationships whose sole focus is on Jesus Christ. I learned just how powerful God’s church can be, and how essential it is that we hold each other accountable for even the most subtle, slight changes for the worse in our relationship with God. True union with the body of Christ, his church stems from oneness with the Lord himself and with Jesus, his Son.

*The Passion Conference “exists to glorify God by uniting students in worship, prayer and justice for spiritual awakening in this generation.”

College Church, thank you for your ongoing support of the college students involved here. Here are three ways you can pray for us:

• Pray that students would find a home here at College Church during their four years in school.

• Pray that the urgency of the mission of the gospel would be realized among college students especially in an environment that intends to hinder the Lord’s work in young adults.

• Pray that college students would recognize and be presented with opportunities to share the gospel at home and at school.

COLLEGE GROUP AT COLLEGE CHURCH

The college years can shape us as people in ways unlike any other age of adult life. Friends made in those years can last a lifetime. Things learned can shape careers and relationships. The God of the Bible is at the root of our ministry and his Word deeply shapes us at this amazing stage full of questions and discoveries.

We long to see students cultivate a vibrant relationship with Jesus and learn how to live for him in daily life. We do this through weekly Bible teaching, Bible study and mentoring relationships.

During the week small gatherings of us meet in homes to study the Book of Romans. On Sundays, all college-aged students are invited to the Crossings building at 10:45 a.m. for a time of college-geared teaching, music and relational connections. Come join us!

My Journey Through Cancer BARBARA SHOEMAKER

It all started on April 11, 2021—six months after my husband, Kent, went home to be with the Lord. I had a date for my overdue mammogram at CDH. Because of having breast cancer in 2008 on my left side, I am aways nervous until it is over, and the letter comes that says there is no sign of cancer.

A few days later, I had a call back and returned to have not only another mammogram but also an ultrasound. I did not want to think that it was can cer again. I was taken to an office, where I met a nurse named Joyce who ex plained to me that I would need a biop sy, which would be sent to a lab for ex amination, and I would be called about the results. She then set up the appoint ment for April 19, only a few days away.

I began to fuss about being alone, with out my dear husband by my side. God, why is this happening to me now? I had some apprehension about the biopsy, as the one I had experienced before was uncomfortable and somewhat painful. But when the day arrived, I was pleas antly surprised as it was very different from the previous procedure. I simply lay on a table, and the doctor came in and sat beside me to do the procedure. In no time, she was finished, and I had not felt a thing. I asked her if she had been able to get everything she needed, and she chuckled and said, “Oh, yes!” It was just amazing to me.

On April 22, I was where I always am in the early morning hours—reading the Bible, my Streams in the Desert devotional,

and in prayer. The psalm that morning was Psalm 91. It begins:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

Believe it or not, that same morning, the phone call came to say I had cancer!

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

I had to decide. Was I going to believe these words presented to me that morning? Or would I be afraid, worry and wonder what was going to happen to me? I was sure of what I read, and I determined in my mind and heart that I would trust the Lord’s promises. And then I watched and proceeded to see him provide for each day.

Many friends at Windsor who supported me as I went through the grieving process during Kent’s illness and homegoing were there again. My daughter, who lives close by, said she would go to the doctor with me. I was grateful for the support and love surrounding me. My nurse, Joyce, called to say I would be seeing Dr. Ahn on May 4.

On the fourth, my daughter called my son in Phoenix so he could listen to the doctor explaining what they were looking for and what needed to be done. I had stage one cancer, which would require a lumpectomy. The surgery was scheduled for May 31. She explained I would need to have an MRI to learn more about the extent of the disease. She talked to me for some time, explaining what the surgery would involve. Other appointments included seeing my primary care physician, a genetics consultation, a pre-op COVID test and a meeting about anesthesia.

I sailed through these days with little anxiety, assured of the support and love of others, and the Lord providing for me minute by minute.

My head was swimming! What to do first? I put the known appointments on my calendar. Then I began to call on my friends, as I did not wish to go to these appointments alone. My Windsor friend, also named Joyce, took me for the MRI early in the morning before breakfast.

But the MRI itself was a different story—the worst situation I had ever been in! Darkness all around me, pounding noise for almost an hour. I just wanted to get out of there. I had never felt claustrophobic before. I silently, frantically

cried out to the Lord, and somehow, he sustained me until it was over. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Going out into the bright sunshine was such a relief.

This test showed that there was more cancer in the breast than originally thought, and a mastectomy would be required, not just a lumpectomy. So, the agony of the MRI proved worth it. But a PET scan was now required, to check for metastases in other parts of the body. On May 26, another friend Junette drove me to the lab in DeKalb and waited for me. No other cancer was found! I had been fearful and apprehensive on the drive to DeKalb but very relieved and comforted on the trip home.

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday… If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent, concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

My support was growing. Our granddaughters in Phoenix called to say they were coming in time for the surgery and would stay to care for me for the first week post-op. I was delighted and so thankful! They are fun and caring. Two pastors from our church, who had been so helpful during Kent’s illness and homegoing, contacted me, also praying with other staff members. My Adult Community was also praying. I was stopped in Windsor’s hallways by other friends, who assured me they were praying. I sailed through these days with little anxiety, assured of the support and love of others, and the Lord providing for me minute by minute.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord. “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (NIV)

The day of surgery arrived, and we trekked to the hospital in the early morning hours. The surgery went well. Although I had serious pain when leaving the OR, medicine in recovery relieved it, and I went home that afternoon. Some days during recovery were slow, but I had the help I needed, even after the girls left. Friends came for a few hours at a time and helped me with chores. The pastors kept in touch and visited me in my apartment.

My prognosis is good. They got it all! Lymph nodes were clean. I do not need chemo or radiation—just to heal and go on with my life. The Lord receives the glory for my good prognosis and recovery, as he kept his promises to me every day of my journey. I have learned a great lesson in trust, which would likely not have happened without being put in this position. In moments when I was afraid,

wanted to run and not face what tests might reveal, I would remember the words of the psalmist, promising God’s presence and knowledge of my circumstances and deliverance. I decided to believe God’s words and rely upon them—and did so each moment that doubt would creep into my thoughts.

In my daily journaling, I found passages of prayer written by those who were in dire circumstances, and I would read them aloud and copy them so that I would feel their strength and remember them later in the day. In 2 Chronicles, time after time, in chapter after chapter, the text is rich with examples of the necessity of going to the Lord to seek his help because there is no other way to find the needed help. And that is why the Lord places us in these difficulties. There is no way to explain the wonder of having his help take you through hard things and to have trusted him and come out the other side, to a place of safety and peace. The Lord does what he says he will do, but he waits for us to seek him and his help. He wants it.

MILESTONES

BIRTHS

Anna Enying was born to Nathan and Grace Bliss on September 23. Anna joins her siblings Moses and Emmy .

Ellie Margot was born to Ryan and Taylor Chae on September 21. Ellie’s first-time maternal grandparents are Lance and Julie Clemens . Julie is the director of our STARS disability ministries.

Titus Banks was born to Brent and Jessica Pflederer on August 31. Titus joins his brothers Jason and Hudson. Rick and Gail Pflederer are his paternal grandparents.

Nora Grace was born to Tyler and Ashley Charleston on August 21. Nora joins her big brothers Luke and Micah

Clark Gregory was born to Scott and Claire Nellessen on August 3. Clark’s paternal grandparents are Jeff and Mary Nellessen. Claire is the niece of College Church missionaries Bruce and Becky Wilson.

DEATHS

Pray for Jan Kay, Bob (Barbara) Kay and family as they grieve the loss of Jan’s husband and Bob’s father, Dr. Tom Kay , who passed away on September 23.

Pray for Dr. Richard Gieser and family as they grieve the loss of Dick’s wife, Kaye Filkin , who passed away on September 19.

Pray for Kris Kraker and family as they grieve the loss of Kris’ mother who passed away on September 15 in Holland, Michigan.

Pray for Wanda (Forrest) Zander and family as they grieve the loss of Wanda’s brother, Duane Dykstra , who passed away on September 10 in Aroma Park, Illinois.

Pray for Rod (Kathy) Duttweiler and family as they grieve the loss of Rod’s mother, Mary , who passed away on August 19 in Buffalo, New York.

Pray for family and friends of former College Church member Debby Zaderaka, who passed away on August 18 in Fort Collins, Colorado.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT PHILIP HOSSU

I have no long history of creative pursuits. A student of computer science and applied math, I would say that I’m more conversant on algorithms than art. However, around a year and a half ago, I was encouraged to pick up and teach myself watercolor painting. It has been a great blessing having this outlet as I’ve weathered a difficult year.

Watching the colors run across the page gives me time and space to quiet my thoughts and reflect—a much-needed break and outlet from the stressors of daily life. I find joy in exploring the structure and color of the landscapes expertly crafted by our Creator. Making a painting I’m happy with is less about mechanically translating a scene, instead allowing it to meld with a mood or message and sometimes become abstract. Some hundreds of paintings and sketches later, I’m grateful to have this opportunity to share a few recent works with the church I’ve grown up in.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,     the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him,     and the son of man that you care for him?

PSALM 8:3-4

www.instagram.com/hossu_wc   www.philiphossu.com

WATERCOLORS

PRAYER GATHERINGS ONLINE & IN PERSON

Call the church office or email info@college-church.org for details on these prayer meetings.

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 (Zoom only) 7-8 p.m.

OCTOBER 5: Henry & Wendy Robinson

OCTOBER 12: Elizabeth M.

OCTOBER 19: Austin & Magrit H.

OCTOBER 26: Daniel L.

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/3vzdcAz

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.

HANNAH PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

Hannah Fellowship will meet on Thursday, October 13, at 1:30 p.m. We welcome anyone who would like to join us to pray for our missionaries.

BARNABAS PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

meets in October to hear from Jim and Lynette Hatcher (GEM, Austria) about the work they have been doing in Austria over several decades, and to pray for a group of cross-cultural workers whom College Church helps to support. This is Wednesday, October 19, at 1:30 p.m., in the Patio Dining Room at Covenant Living at Windsor Park on North Avenue in Carol Stream. Both men and women are welcome to visit or to join the group.

AARON-HUR PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

Aaron-Hur Fellowship will meet on Thursday, October 27, at 7 p.m. at the home of Ruth Diffin, 1917 Ardmore Lane, Unit B (610-291-2437).  Our guests will be Jim and Lynette Hatcher, serving in Austria.

Seasons of Helpfulness

Virginia Hughes

Recently my brother helped his youngest son move into a basement apartment. His son was thrilled to have found a perfect place with extra low rent all by himself. A mere one hundred dollars and a separate entrance, ta-da! Most of us, including my brother, would consider such a low rent may have too high a hidden personal cost

In the grueling heat of back and forth, my brother scratched at an itch on his arm. Ouch, there seemed to be more than a bite there. Suddenly the tell-tale burning, angry rash was forming up and down his arms and legs. What on earth? He remarked how the rash looked like poison ivy, but where had it come from between the truck and the few steps into the apartment? He scouted around the yard and found nothing. The only thing he had brushed against was maybe that very large limb shading the entry.

to pay. Questions arose, “Where’s the bathroom? I’m not seeing a kitchen, are you?” Shrugs and nonchalance were the answers to the questions. My brother focused solely on—carry the load, set it down, carry the load, set it down and repeat. The hot, sunny moving day was made more tolerable by shade from a thick overhanging tree limb nearby. It grew so closely around the door he couldn’t help but brush against it while bringing in the larger items of mattress and sofa. He had decided to trim the aggressive limb back once the move was complete, but its shade was most welcome at the moment.

Surely that limb so close to the door and several inches thick was not poison ivy. On very close inspection yes, it was poison ivy, it absolutely was. How could that vine have been overlooked so long to have grown into a limb of such size around an entrance? His thanks for helping move his son was a painful case of poison ivy. And that terrible ivy limb needed to be safely, gulp, and immediately removed before it caused more harm.

We are used to this kind of thank you from our dear ones. This kind of “No good deed goes unpunished,” because it often comes with family. We nearly perish with back aches and activated kidney stones helping them through various moves and the many agonies of their lives. Being there for them as we are able brings harsh realities of caring for others. Rarely is there a gold star or blue ribbon handed to us for our acts of

generosity. Helping is as thick and enjoyable as a poison ivy limb at times, monotonous and ongoing. It may be annoying or painful, but we keep helping because it’s the right thing to do.

The same son had given my brother a lousy case of COVID a few weeks prior. Is he still glad he helped? He sure is. His son was encouraged by the assistance, all settled in and now teaching science to high schoolers. The thick poison limb generated by a curse as old as Eden has also been removed which means others will be spared its rashes.

Jesus taught us to help and asked us to serve each other in the church. We know what love is because he laid down his life for us. We give our time in caring for others to honor Jesus. This is what a loving family does for each other. There is also the practical notion to help others now in this season of helpfulness while you are able; as there comes a day when you will also need help.

The reality is that there are difficult people in the family or on the fringes who also need help. My advice? Try not to be one of the difficult ones to help like Mrs. Surly, whom I remember as an angry, bitterly behaving woman from one of the small churches my father pastored. She didn’t attend church, but claimed it as her own when it suited her, as in when she needed help. Our small church valued every member including the “barely theres,” with the hope one would be revived, enter worship with a vibrant amen, and become part of the church family.

Mrs. Surly came to mind as I considered the phlox growing in the front garden. This phlox blooming so heartily started long ago in Mrs. Surly’s garden. I had decided to get rid of the scads of pink phlox which throughout August is a favorite of pollinators. Why get rid of it? I wanted to follow a new color direction which featured luscious peach colors thriving down the center line, with plants woven throughout in shades of blue and white. The hot bubblegum pink of the phlox was not enhancing the emerging color scheme. But Mrs. Surly’s phlox was not easy to remove. It is not a hybrid, dainty phlox, but a relentless field variety not asking permission or shrinking when weather conditions are less than ideal. It blooms and thrives in sun, shade, wet or dry conditions. It also brings in hummingbirds, bees and butterflies resonating in a summer symphony of resounding hum and buzz.

Years ago, every square inch of Mrs. Surly’s yard had been planted with scores of beloved plants. In time they had become overgrown and were too much to control. She would call Mom, who would send my plant brother, Richard, and me to go help weed and purge. Sweetness was not one of Mrs. Surly’s qualities. Gentleness did not sweep through her gardens. She swore at the plants,

about the plants, the midwestern muggy heat, even our young ages and total incompetence were complained about. “Where have you been?” And “What took you so long?” greeted us before we knelt to weed . . . to help her. We hoped for coins for all our weeding and being ordered about, but she only paid us in plants, roots and seeds to bring back to Mother’s garden.

Over and over, the lessons are taught that beauty comes from surprising places, even from seemingly very ugly things. God’s continual sense of humor and his plan reigns throughout all creation amid lessons of grace while completing his good works though us and in us. The miracle lives on in gnarly roots which grow leafy shrubs with delectably scented peony blossoms by late May. That these lovely blossoms came from such an unpleasant source is the twist in the story of helping ornery Mrs. Surly in her garden.

Mother’s bountiful gardens grew, abounding in color and variety, which gave her much joy, at a time when sources of joy seemed dried up in the well. Mom sent pieces of her garden that came from Mrs. Surly with each of us when we left home to live in other parts of Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.

Mrs. Surly reminds us that a person may be difficult and undeserving, but still needs help. And if you help such as these, may you be blessed above and beyond, and perhaps form friendships and warm memories that follow you all the days of your life.

The hot pink phlox in the garden won me over again when it proved it doesn’t remain that hot pink color for long. In a few days it fades into beautiful tones of purple and blue, blooming so steadily and mixing in beautifully with the new color scheme.

Each season brings new ways to help our church family. May we seek opportunities to help each other and find ourselves in a season of helpfulness.

A Boutique Shopping Experience

Linda Murphy contributed to this update on Repeat Boutique

THE CUSTOMERS

A homeless women came to Repeat Boutique for a warm blanket and rain gear. The volunteers who work at the boutique soon had her registered for its free shopping services and explained the three-month shopping rotation. Soon Rachel left, warm and clean, and arms full of all that she could fit in her car.

Three days later Rachel quietly entered through the door, wondering if she could shop again, because, well, she had a job interview. Our desk volunteer became her personal shopper and made sure she had three professional looking outfits. Rachel bounced out the door with a promise to keep us informed. Two days later, Rachel pushed open the door and exclaimed, “I got the job!” Her radiant face said it all.

A Syrian widow stopped by the store for her second visit, tired and downcast. A volunteer greeted her warmly as she took an empty basket and began to shop for herself and her teenaged son, still downcast. A volunteer met up with her in the household area, where she was looking at a Noritake dinner plate.

“Can I have this?” she asked.

“Certainly,” the volunteer replied, “and, look, there is an entire set here!” It was complete, with serving dishes and place settings. “Can you use a set?”

“May I really have them?” she asked timidly.

“God has seen you. God knows you and has freely provided what you need,” the volunteer answered. “He wants you to thrive in your new home in America.”

That volunteer was College Church member Linda Murphy, who began her volunteer work back in 1980 when she was a student at the Wheaton Graduate School. “I then shopped there as a missionary,” recalls Linda. She later established her own cleaning business, and her employees shopped there for a time. “And now that retirement is upon me, I can volunteer once again,” Linda says.

FREE FOR ALL

From missionaries who needed wedding garb for a grandson’s wedding to the new Ukrainian clients to women like Rachel and the widow, Repeat Boutique has a diverse client base. From its beginning 50 years ago, this

College Church ministry partner has provided full-time Christian workers and refugees with free clothing and household items. Recently, the boutique has welcomed clients referred by DuPage County services, PADS, ECFA, Caring Network, Outreach Ministries, Bridge Communities and other not-for-profit organizations.

Four years ago, Repeat Boutique moved to its present location on Gary Avenue, in an office complex that includes World Relief DuPage. As World Relief and county social services feel the load of fragile households, they refer families to Repeat Boutique for a year of free clothing. “Our pastors and church leaders can also refer families to us,” Linda points out.

Linda estimates that DuPage families and individuals make up about 30% of their shoppers, refugees about 25% and full-time Christian workers 40%. In July, Repeat Boutique saw an uptick of 36 new families shopping for clothing and household goods, and those new shoppers represented 38 language groups. By mid-August, a total of 156 families (47 new)—representing 596 individuals— shopped the boutique.

DON’T BE SHY

Linda thanks God for the donations that come into the Boutique. “We have goods to give away to newly arrived refugees.” And God continues to supply the clothes, the household goods as well as the financial resources (which includes quarterly support from the Board of Missions) needed for $5,600 monthly rent.

For Linda, her volunteers are as welcome as the shoppers. “Each member of the body of Christ can find a place for their giftedness in God’s purposes at the Boutique,” Linda says with her characteristic enthusiasm. “Volunteer at the sorting table by the back door or greet shoppers at the front desk. Come and laugh with us and grow as we serve our missionaries, our refugees and many DuPage County families. You will never regret giving one morning a week to Repeat Boutique.”

Whether you refer someone to Repeat Boutique, give financially, drop off goods or walk through its doors as a volunteer or shopper, you support a ministry that truly is the hands and feet of Jesus.

Is your visitation and care targeted to a specific group at College Church?

The Pastor of Visitation primarily serves and ministers to our senior congregants.

What is your role as pastor of visitation, and how do you define that term?

PRIORITY OF PERSON-CENTERED CARE

When we as burden-bearers listen to and care for others in their burdens, it may become evident that what we call a burden may not necessarily be what they call a burden. Who can truly determine whether a burden that someone else is experiencing is overwhelming or miniscule, is major or minor? If the degree of the burden, major or minor, can only be defined by the one experiencing it, then the burden-bearer must become as the burdensufferer, viewing their pain and hardship through their eyes, not our own.

PRIORITY OF IN-PERSON PRESENCE

While visitation can ably be done through phone and technological devices, these are not substitutes for offering and providing inperson presence as much as possible.

Handle with Care

PERSONAL AND MISSIONAL PERSPECTIVE

To fit in with the full-time pastoral staff members where, when and how needed, and thus to supplement and aid them as effectively as possible, primarily in relationship to our church’s senior congregants.

To journey with and minister to our church’s senior congregants, as well as their families, through the maze of the senior’s latter years of earthly life.

What’s the best advice you received in how to care well for people?

1. Listen first and listen well

2. Be present in both heart and mind

3. If the one to whom we are caring is experiencing hardship, flee assuming we know the cause of their hardship

God Centered Life

the media ministry of College Church, features the Bible teaching of pastor Josh, both online and on the radio. This exciting ministry with a global reach continues to grow in impact. Here in the US, the program is heard on the radio in about 70 locations.

Globally, the ministry also has a mission impact. The teaching is heard online through the OnePlace and TWR360 platforms, which have extensive listenership outside North America. Imagine! More than 35,000 people have been touched with some form of gospel content through this outreach of our church, either an online audio message, a spiritually encouraging article, or a devotional reading.

You can listen locally on Moody Radio (WMBI) at 10 p.m. M-F and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and can have daily devotionals delivered right to your inbox.

Your prayers and partnership with this ministry are greatly appreciated. godcenteredlife.org

Pastors of Visitation Roger Burgess and Bruce Main talk about their philosophies

ROGER BURGESS

Curt Miller, missions pastor

What does grace have to do with local and global outreach?

The word grace can be used in different ways. Some say grace over meals. Some name their children Grace. There’s even a Grace, Idaho! Oh, my blessed potatoes…

The theme of the 2022 Missions and Community Outreach Festival is the Grace Centered Mission. For the past five years, we have been focusing on one foundational biblical principle each year. The purpose is to demonstrate that our local and global outreach work is not based on dramatic statistics or modern methodologies, but on biblical principles.

Yes, we do consider statistics and various methodologies, but those are subservient to the Bible and useful only as far as they help us to engage in gospel centered, biblically based local and global mission work. Because we are people of the book our local and global outreach efforts will fall or rise with our commitment to his Word.

During our upcoming Missions & Community Outreach Festival, we will hear more about grace, that is, the unmerited favor of God, and how it enables us to participate in his great mission. As we humbly serve in his local and global work, God receives the glory, his people receive joy and those who are far from him are invited to experience the joy of knowing Jesus.

We hope that you will join us on October 16 for our local outreach Sunday featuring Matt Smethurst, pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia. And join

us the following week, October 23 for our global outreach Sunday, our missions focused Sunday, where we will hear from College Church missionary Steve Krogh. Missionaries will be featured in the Sunday morning and evening services, as well as Adult Communities.

May the Lord bless you with his grace as you seek him, and we hope to see you there.

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Matt Smethurst i s lead pastor of River City Baptist Church, a new congregation in Richmond, Virginia, and has been a longtime editor for The Gospel Coalition. He’s the author of several books, including Before You Open Your Bible, Before You Share Your Faith and Deacons . Matt and his wife, Maghan, have three young children.

For over thirty years, Steve Krogh served in pastoral ministry in California in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Steve and his wife, Lois, are charter members of College Church’s most recent church plant, Christ Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He currently serves with Training Leaders International, a missions organization providing training for pastors in locations with limited or no access to theological training.

MATT SMETHURST

STEVE KROGH

Don’t Follow Your Heart

Matt Smethurst

Poppy: “For what?”

Branch: “For showing me how to be happy.” Poppy: “Really? You’re finally happy? Now?”

Branch: “I think so. Happiness is inside of all of us, right? Sometimes you just need someone to help you find it.”

The film’s theme song, Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” is a fun tune, perfect for spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen. Find the animated version on YouTube and you’ll hear a few seconds of dialogue before the music begins. What’s this dialogue that has been played (as of this writing) nearly  600 million  times?

King Gristle Sr.: “Do you really think I can be happy?”

Poppy: “Of course! It’s inside you! It’s inside of all of us! And I don’t think it; I feel it!”

“I got this feeling, inside my bones . . .”

EXHAUSTING BURDEN

As my children grow up and watch various movies and shows, I’m trying to gently train them to play “Spot the Lie.”

Sadly, it’s an easy game.

A couple of years ago, my daughters were watching the DreamWorks animated film  Trolls , featuring the voices of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. My 5-year-old pitter-pattered up the stairs to ask a question: “Daddy, is happiness found inside of us?” That’s what the movie said, she explained, but it sounded wrong to her. “Isn’t happiness found in God?”

I can’t recall if I immediately took her to get ice cream, but I should have.

Like many artistic productions, Trolls is a sermon. It’s cultural catechesis. Even the film’s tagline is candid: “This is a story about happiness.” In one scene near the end, the troll princess, Poppy, is chatting with the resident curmudgeon, Branch: Poppy: “Thank you!”

Branch: “No, thank you.”

It wasn’t always like this. In fact, almost every previous culture in history would find this dialogue nonsensical, perhaps even dangerous. The meaning of your life wasn’t something discovered within you; it was something delivered to you. You were born into a community, a heritage, and handed a set of responsibilities. Nobody encouraged you to discover your purpose; you were simply told it. Was your last name Baker? Light the stove. Smith? Sharpen the tools.

Life in the late-modern West could not be more different. If traditional cultures tended to reduce people to their duties, the modern world reduces people to their desires. Just listen to the soundtrack of our age:

“Follow your heart.”

“Be true to yourself.”

“Find yourself.”

“Love yourself.”

“Express yourself.”

“Believe in yourself.”

We inhabit a secular age in which transcendence has been thinned out and trivialized—and the “sovereign self” thrust to the center of the stage. Nowadays, pilgrimages to find truth, beauty, and goodness don’t require a plane ticket. Just a mirror. This is an exhausting way to live. I don’t have the wisdom to define my destiny, nor the fortitude to fulfill it, without making a royal wreck of my life and inflicting untold pain on those I love most. I am underqualified to explore my heart and steer my life. I can barely reply to emails. These cultural mantras are well-intentioned. Some contain elements of truth. Nevertheless, it must be said: the Bible simply doesn’t talk this way. In fact, it’s striking just how differently Scripture employs the same words:

World: “Follow your heart.”

Jesus: “Follow me” (Matt. 10:38).

World: “Love yourself.”

Jesus: “Love the Lord your God [and] your neighbor” (Mark 12:30–31).

World: “Discover yourself.”

Jesus: “Deny yourself” (Luke 9:23).

World: “Believe in yourself.”

Jesus: “Believe in me” (John 6:35). So what’s the solution? Do we just need to reject the modern view and get back to the good old days? No. The Scriptures crash into and challenge the prevailing intuitions of every culture, old or new.

EMBRACE AUTHORITY

Though we tend to think of modern individualism as being opposed to community, Jonathan Leeman insightfully notes that it’s more fundamentally opposed to authority. Here’s how he begins his book  Don’t Fire Your Church Members: Individualism . . . is not rooted in being anti-community. Everyone loves the idea of community (except, maybe, the hermit). Rather, [individualism is rooted] in being antiauthority: I will gladly hang out with you, so long as you don’t tell me who I have to be or what I have to do.

Not all uses of authority are good; many are downright evil. Authoritarianism is all too common, even within the church. Nevertheless, authority itself is a good gift from a good God. He has knit authority structures into the fabric of the world for our flourishing. No wonder King David’s last words commended the beauty of healthy authority:

The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me:

When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, he dawns on them like the morning light,

like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.

(2 Sam. 23:3 –4)

Few things are as beautiful and life-giving as authority well exercised.

Imagine you’re drafted onto a professional sports team, and you report to the person in charge—the owner. What will he tell you? “Welcome to the team. Report to the coach.” The coach possesses delegated authority from the person who has ultimate organizational authority. So you honor the owner by submitting to the coach. Likewise, when you become a Christian and report to King Jesus, as it were, he says, “If you want to honor me, report to one of my embassies. Submit your life to me by submitting your life to a church. That’s the primary place where I mean for you to grow and thrive as a Christian.”

The church offers the community and the authority we need. While godly peers in your life are an important means of Christian growth, be sure to recognize your crucial need for godly pastors, as well.

Spiritual leaders are gifts from God for your spiritual good (see Eph. 4:11–14). And his design for the church includes pastors or elders who are deployed to help you better grasp and apply his Word. Pastors are also charged by God to help protect you from all sorts of heresy, damaging doctrine, and any corruption to the pure gospel. Among the qualifications for an elder, Paul writes: “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9).

Friend, prioritize finding a healthy, Bible-saturated, gospel-centered church. And once you find it, join it. Commit. Submit your life to the oversight of its leaders and to the care and accountability of its members. God loves you deeply, and this is the pattern he set in motion with the early church to form you into the image of Christ.

TRUE HAPPINESS

If a traditional view of identity effectively says, “You are your duties,” and modern identity says, “You are your desires,” then a gospel identity says, “You are your Savior’s.” You belong to him and to his people.

Step off the treadmill of self-obsession and walk into the presence of a God who loved you before the beginning. The most important story in your life isn’t one you wrote, and it isn’t one in which you play the starring role. You exist to make Someone else look good. That’s not limiting; it’s liberating. And don’t be surprised if it makes you happy.

MISSIONS FEST SPOTLIGHT: The Land of The Red Dust Steve Krogh

This essay appeared in Topography: A Pastor’s Reflection on the Terrain Between Sundays, which Steve wrote in 2010 while a pastor in Michigan.

There are two seasons in Cameroon: rainy season and dry season. I have experienced them both. Let me try to describe them to you.

Rainy season begins in April and runs for six months. When you hear “rainy season,” don’t think of perpetual mist and gloomy, overcast skies. Think of tropical thunderstorms that appear on the horizon, blow across the mountains and valleys, release their life-giving water at 7,000 feet elevation and leave behind a sky so blue and grass so green. Life is so vibrant that you can almost touch it and taste it. You may have to run for cover for twenty minutes during the rainy season when the skies let loose, but an hour later, you can enjoy an outdoor picnic as the tropical sun and warmth dries things out nearly instantly. Rainy season in Cameroon in the mountains is a beautiful moment waiting to happen. Dry season begins in October and lasts until the first showers of April. A fine coat of red dust covers everything, a windborn result of the expanding Saharan desert that is slowly encroaching south across Africa. Remove the dust from your table at breakfast, and when you sit down for dinner, you will find that the dust returned before you did. When you are told, “If you would like to have your shoes polished, please leave them outside your door” you may think, “A daily shoeshine? What a nice touch! I don’t get that at home.” But you soon realize both why the offer is made and the futility of the task.

If you can’t guess the season I prefer, here are a few more hints. Rainy season is life, refreshing, invigorating, at times exhilarating. Dry season is lifeless, draining, tedious, wearying. Rainy season is adventurous. Dry season is monotonous. In rainy season, we ask, “When will the thunder come? How fast will the rain come and go? What adventure will happen today?” In dry season, we ask, “Are we done yet? How long, O Lord? This again?” Rainy season points us away from ourselves and asks, “Do you see the colors? Isn’t life grand? Isn’t God great?” Dry season asks harder questions. Life has its seasons as well. Which season are you in? If you are enjoying the refreshing rains, I rejoice with you. Isn’t God good? When the heavens open and He washes you with grace and undeserved favor, please don’t hide your smile. It diminishes the goodness of God if you do. Enjoy the emerald greens and sapphire blues. Plants and skies are gifts from

God to be enjoyed with outstretched hands and uplifted faces. Share both the gifts given and your joy in the Giver with others. That is why God has watered His earth and you with the rains of grace.

If you are in the midst of a dry season, let me share two things. First, please know that God is big enough to hear you ask the hard questions. He isn’t threatened. Actually, He has heard the same questions from the lips of dear saints who have not only endured dust, but also dungeons, disease and death. Because the questions have been asked before doesn’t mean the pain is not real to your or me, it only means that we should ask the questions humbly and with hearts that believe God has and does listen to His people. God is not in a hurry. He doesn’t sheepishly paw and toe the dust and wish He could do something about this dry season, but knows His hands are tied. He makes no apologies for dry seasons. He has His purposes in your life. Ask God to show you what they are. Internal, unseen heart change perhaps happens best among the red dust of life.

Second, know that April rains are coming. Dry season will end one day and never appear again. “Neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things [including red dust] have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

Esther Burr, the married daughter of Jonathan Edwards, unexpectedly lost her husband to death at the age of fortyone. Not long after the funeral she faced the prospect of losing her infant son to death because of a horrible infection. Esther wrote her father a precious letter, letting him know that all was well, and that God’s grace and kindness would see her through all these difficulties.

As soon as he read his daughter’s letter, Jonathan Edwards wrote this surprising letter in return: “Dear Daughter: I thank you for your most comfortable letter. How good and kind is your Heavenly Father! Indeed, he is a faithful God, and never will fail them that trust in him. But don’t be surprised, or think some strange thing has happened to you, if after the light, clouds of darkness should return. Perpetual sunshine is not usual in this world, even to God’s true saints.”

Note Edwards said, “in this world.” In this world we do not experience perpetual sunshine, but in the world to come we will! Edwards elsewhere said, “The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows, but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the ocean.”

May your dry season and mine cause us to long for the eternal rains of grace that are fast approaching. May our appetites be whet for the coming freshness of the kingdom that will always be ours, never taken away.

Meet Your Leaders

LISA BURLINGAME

WHERE I SERVE: Hospitality Committee

WHY I SERVE: This committee is a way to serve in a completely new type of ministry for me. It allows me the opportunity to serve the church in a practical way while also meeting members I don’t yet know.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE

ME: prayerful, studious, committed

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: anywhere with family but especially the beach

JOAN ENGESETH

WHERE I SERVE: Board of Deaconesses, greeter, Helping Hands volunteer

WHY I SERVE: I like helping people.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: involved, enthusiastic, content

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: any place that has coffee

PAT FALLON

WHERE I SERVE: Board of Deacons, Grace Groups

WHY I SERVE: There are so many wonderful people who take their personal faith in Christ seriously. It’s fun to serve alongside followers of Jesus who want to support and encourage others who are both inside and outside of College Church. Serving builds relationships in so many ways, too.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: optimistic, dependable, empathetic

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: anywhere over at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle with my wife, Lin

ELIZABETH LARSEN

WHERE I SERVE: Evangelism and Cultural Impact Committee

WHY I SERVE: Studying apologetics and culture in recent years has greatly impacted my faith. I hope in my role that I am able to encourage others to love the Lord with their minds in a similar way and to develop a more robust, confident faith and an increased willingness to have faith-related conversations as a result.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: optimistic, planner, homebody

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: home with my husband, Tim, and our three young kids

ANGIE SCHROEDER

WHERE I SERVE: Deaconess board; children’s choirs

WHY I SERVE: The Bible commands us to loving service: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10

Are you struggling to find your place at CCIW? Serving = connectedness.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: (I let my kids pick these) steadfast, resourceful, British-telly-enthusiast

JIM TEBBE

WHERE I SERVE: chair of the Board of Missions and All Nations Adult Community teacher

WHY I SERVE: I believe it is important to give as well as receive from my local church.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: hard-working, integrity, fun-loving

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: long walks in forest preserves with my dog

A 2022 reality check: anxiety and worry are pervasive and lingering. The news of murders, natural catastrophes and terrorism are immobilizing, to say nothing of the personal challenges we face in our own homes such as illness, cancer, financial burdens, divorce, mental health crises and isolation.

Over the years I’ve concluded that I’m pretty good at worrying especially when it comes to my kids, grandkids, relatives and friends. Fear of the future and things I have no control over can tie my stomach into knots.

When worry and fear set in, when I become panicky, I have learned to read and absorb Philippians 4:4-8. Some days necessitate rereading those verses over and over as my heart slowly calms.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone; The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. So, we have five verses with four admonitions that lead to one wonderful promise: the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Repeat: Will guard my heart and my mind.

In Max Lucado’s book Anxious for Nothing, we find an acronym to describe these favorite verses. That acronym is CALM

C stands for celebrate God’s goodness. Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say, rejoice! I personally find that isn’t at all easy when something is really bothering me. But then I look at Paul who, before he wrote these words, had been beaten, imprisoned, deserted by friends, shipwrecked, and was awaiting a trial before Nero. However, instead of meditating on the disappointments and fear of what might come, Paul chose to rejoice in the Lord’s sovereignty. As

Stabilize Your Soul

Joan Engeseth

Lucado says in his book, “Stabilize your soul with the sovereignty of God,” and realize that he reigns supreme over every detail of the universe.

A stands for ask God for help. This one is easy for me. By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. As we ask God for help, I think it’s important to pray specifically. The Bible is full of examples where people asked Jesus for something specific. When the wedding ran out of wine, Mary didn’t say, “Help, Jesus.” She was specific: “They have no more wine.” Or in Genesis 24, Abraham’s servant prayed very specifically about how he should find a wife for Isaac.

L stands for leave your concerns with him. This is the hardest part for me. I’m good at giving my concerns to the Lord, but then I take them back throughout the day. We are told to wait on the Lord. When we do that, God promises to renew our strength.

Finally, the M stands for meditate on good things and on things that are praiseworthy and noble and pure and lovely. I used to sort of ignore this last section on meditating. However, we are told to do it. I need to intentionally stop meditating on my crisis and fears and think about the good things. I’ve found that listening to Christian music is one way that helps me meditate on God’s goodness throughout the day.

So, in doing these things—Celebrate, Ask, Leave the problems, Meditate on him—I have found that I am less worried, I have fewer knots in my stomach, and I enjoy an enhanced faith.

Dear Lord,

You calmed the storms; would you calm the storm I am feeling right now? You calmed the hearts of your disciples; would you calm the chaos within me? You told them to fear not; please tell me the same. I am exhausted from worry; please give me a spirit of calm.

Diapers for Dear Ones Supporting Life in Our Community

Kara Beth Vance

Caring Network’s full-service pregnancy centers in our community and other Chicago suburbs offer pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, pregnancy consultations, resources and referrals, as well as support and counseling for women who’ve had an abortion and men who’ve participated in that decision. All these services are at no cost. The counselors at Caring Network pregnancy resource centers seek to care for women in crisis with the love and compassion of Christ, equipping abortion-minded women to choose life—both physical and spiritual.

The Caring Network staff at these centers offer access to a local Caring Network Baby Bank as a resource for women who choose to parent but do not have a support network or the resources they need.

Caring Network has three baby bank locations strategically placed to target different regions where its clients and centers are located. In the spring of this year, Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton set up a baby bank, and a handful of folks from College Church helped to set up a permanent space in their warehouse. It is now safe for the families to come in and out, more conducive for chatting, and is beautiful.

To take advantage of the bank’s services, clients need a card from Caring Network to show when they come to the baby bank. At the baby bank they receive a semi-standard set of free items (70-80 diapers in the appropriate size, three packages of wipes, baby shampoo, baby lotion, diaper rash cream and formula if needed). These target amounts help the majority of women clients to get through a two-week period before they can return to the baby bank. The Wheaton bank also has some baby clothes, maternity clothes, blankets and toys, though these are extras.

The Baby Bank in Wheaton serves 25-30 Caring Network clients every two weeks. It costs about $2,000 every two weeks to stock the Baby Bank (about $75 per family, serving somewhere between 25 and 30 families). In August, the baby bank was literally wiped out of all supplies in one night.

The last two years, we have held periodic diaper and baby care product drives to collect items at College Church. So many of you have participated in this!

These drives help supply our local Caring Network Baby Bank, too. The Baby Bank is chronically low on supplies these days as it serves more families of Caring Network clients in our community.

To help meet this ongoing need, a year-round baby supply collection effort kicks off on Sunday, October 16. On Community Outreach Sunday of the missions festival, look for the Baby Bank donation crib in the Narthex and

plan to bring a package of diapers (especially sizes 4-6) or any of the following items with you to church.

Diapers (size newborn through 6)

Baby wipes

Baby shampoo

Baby lotion

Diaper rash cream

Formula (Similac yellow and purple are most requested)

Let’s join together to meet this increasing need and support families in our community, helping them to choose life. The Baby Bank crib will make appearances around College Church in the coming months to encourage consistent giving of baby care items. Here are some questions to consider as you become involved in Baby Bank donations.

Are you able to incorporate some extra baby care products into your weekly grocery runs?

Could your small group support the needs of one specific family at the Baby Bank every two weeks (about $75 in supplies per family)? We would connect you with the needs, preferences, and prayer requests of a family served by the bank.

How could you use the Baby Bank donation crib and regular giving of tangible items to help teach your children about the value of life in the womb and helping those who have chosen life despite hard situations?

Is bringing items to church on a Sunday too inconvenient? Scan the QR Code for the Baby Bank Amazon Wish List. Just select “Church of the Resurrection’s Gift Registry Address” for where to ship the items. You could even look into “Subscribe & Save.”

Please reach out to us at sohl@college-church.org if you have questions or want to discuss options to be more regularly involved in this. We’re also still looking to add to our team of volunteers who would take items from the Baby Bank donation crib at College Church to the Caring Network Baby Bank location at Church of the Resurrection.

sanctity of human life

MONTHLY PRAYER FOR LIFE

Join us in prayer across from Planned Parenthood Aurora during 40 Days for Life’s year-round peaceful prayer vigils for babies, families, and abortion business employees. Check out former Planned Parenthood manager Sue Thayer’s path to lead a prayer vigil outside her former clinic: https://bit. ly/3eYzEyq

Saturday, October 15, 1-2 p.m Park at Mariano’s or behind AutoZone then meet on Waterleaf pregnancy resource center’s property across from Planned Parenthood’s driveway.

Sign up to receive SOHL monthly e-newsletter to receive events schedule and life-related news. https://college-church.org/impact/sohl/

UNDER THE RADAR

Wintersong

JULIUS CAESAR

By William Shakespeare

Choral Showcase

Saturday, October 29, 2022

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall

The Wheaton College Conservatory of Music presents a Family Weekend Choral Showcase Concert featuring the Concert Choir, Men’s Glee Club and Women’s Chorale at 7:30 pm, Saturday, October 29.

This free concert will be held at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall located at 520 E. Kenilworth Ave, Wheaton.

at the Bookstall

STAFF PICKS

Titles are changing often at the bookstall, so if you haven’t stopped by recently, please do. Here are six titles that have recently been added.

He Is Not Ashamed The Staggering Love of Christ for His People

By Erik Raymond

I See Jesus By Nancy Guthrie Illustrated by Jenny Brake

How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering an Evil by D. A. Carson

Sheltering Mercy Prayers Inspired by the Psalms

By Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt

Social Sanity in an Insta World

Edited by Sarah Eekhoff Zulstra with contributors including Jan Wilkin, Melissa Kruger, Laura Wifler

You’re Only Human How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News

By Kelly M. Kapic