Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Steve Modrzjeweski (shown below, Left, with Tim Nielsen).

His message was based on Luke 2: 21-38; focussing on Simeon and Anna, the expectant, senior Saints who knew and understood God's Word ---

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb...And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel:  and the Holy Ghost was upon him.  And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  And he came by the Spirit into the temple...Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel...And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Bible passage teaches us that --

1.  Effective Christian service has no age limit,
2.  God honored Simeon and Anna's faithfulness, and
3.  God's timing is perfect

The complete message, in context, is available on DVD.  Please see Romy.

Our special Guests  today were:

Karen and Jeff Murray
w/ Sons Trevor and Connor

and, Tim and Sue Nielsen; shown below with their
three youngest children, and Grandma Helen

The Nielsens will be transitioning to International Teams by January 1, 2010.  In their work with  Refugees, they currently offer classes in English as an Additional Language (EAL); Homework Clubs; and Host-Family Programs.  Lord willing, they may someday have a Transitional School for immigrant children.  Winnipeg, where they are based, is the crime capital of Canada and a place where social problems abound. But they remain committed to preaching the Word. 
Their goals for the coming year include: Putting in writing, an official set of Policies and Procedures as a church, as well as a Discipleship Plan. Autonomy, as a church, is also a goal.

Please keep the Nielsen Family in your prayers.

Christmas Celebration

The Christmas Play was written by Mrs Janice and titled "The Shepherds Live Again".  It was about the birth of Christ from the Shepherds' point-of-view.

Members of the Cast and Crew---

Scenes from the Play --

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord...

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.  ~Luke 2

Christmas '09 Dinner

Chow time!

Guess who?

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Bill Coyle.  

He continued his study on the epistle of Paul to Titus.  Previously, he had spoken on the qualifications of Bishops/Elders.  Today's message was based on Titus 1: 10-16, Paul's warning on false or erroneous doctrine --

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.  One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said,  The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.  This witness is true.  Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.  Unto the pure all things are pure:  but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

His full message,  in context, is available on DVD. 
Please see Romy.

Here are two, lovely Toddlers:
Riya (1 year & 1 month old);
and Jinjoo  (1 year & 7 months old) --

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Bill Carrera, Jr.  He and his wife, Joy, are missionaries to Brazil through Wycliffe Bible Translators.  Bill is a Teacher, while Joy is a Pilot/Mechanic. The Lord has been faithful in providing for their needs since going to Brazil in 1998.  They have 3 children:  William, Cullen, and Camilla. 

His message was on the names of God.  In particular:  Elohim,  YHWA or Jehovah,  and El Elyon.

He challenges us with the question --- are we fulfilling the goal/purpose that God has willed for us?  A DVD is available of the full message, along with pictures of the Carrera's work in Brazil.  Please see Romy.

One of our special guests today was Ryan Alderson's fiancee, Amy.  They will be married in August, 2010.

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Dr. Dale Schreiber.   He continued his series on the Blessings of Salvation.  One of the blessings received by a person who is saved through the finished work on the cross by the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth  is the sealing of the Holy Spirit.  The use of a seal during N.T. times  indicate ownership, underlies the importance of what was sealed, identifies the owner, and guarantees the security of the item sealed.  The same blessings are bestowed by the Holy Spirit on all believers as a testimony to the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  For more on this excellent message, see the DVD. Check with Romy if you're interested.
Dr Schreiber's whole series on the Blessings of Salvation is also available for your reading enjoyment --  Please see Bill C.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  ~ Ephesians 4:30

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God: Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.  ~ 2 Corinthian 1:21-22

Dale Moorhouse and Dale Schreiber, right

Awana: Crazy Hair Contest

This was from last night's AWANA Crazy-Hair Contest.  Guess the two "winners".

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Happy Veterans Day

It's Veterans Day!
A sincere Thank You to all who have served, or are currently serving our country through its Armed Forces.

Below are the Veterans in our congregation --
Left to Right: Dale, U.S. Navy; Reno, U.S. Army; Freadom, U.S. Army; Frank, U.S. Coast Guard

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Eternal Father, Strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

Who bids the mighty ocean deep. Its own appointed limits keep:

O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain. O’er which our traffic runs a main

By mountain pass or valley low: Wherever, Lord, our brethren go,

Protect them by Thy guarding hand From every peril on the land.

O Spirit, whom the Father sent. To spread abroad the firmament:

O Wind of heaven, by Thy might. Save all who dare the eagle’s flight,

And keep them by Thy watchful care. From every peril in the air.

O Trinity of love and power, Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;

From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe’er they go;

Thus evermore shall rise to Thee. Glad praise from air and land and sea.

Text:  William Whiting, stazas 1, 4

            Robert Nelson Spencer, stanzas 2,3

Music:  John Bacchus Dykes

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Dr Dale Schreiber, missionary to Muslims.  He and his wife, Mary, are pictured below.

His message was the 2nd part of his series: The Blessings of Salvation. A quick summary of the 1st part of his series can be found  here.  One of the blessings of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, is regeneration. Dale referred to the two times the word "regeneration" is used in the Bible:  Matthew 19: 27-28; and Titus 3: 3-8

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration , and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works,.  These things are good and profitable unto men. 

For a complete explanation of the word "Regeneration" (which from the passage above refers to a washing or cleansing from sin, available only through hearing and believing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ), please see and hear the full message, available through DVD.  See Romy.

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Ryan Alderson, student at Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois.

Dale Moorhouse, Music Director; and Ryan Alderson, right

His message was based on Mark 1: 1-8

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets , Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.  The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins...

The "prophets" verses referred to above, are found in Malachi 3:1 and  Isaiah 40:3

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me:  and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in:  behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Short summary:  John the Baptist's ministry-- his mission -- was as a messenger who is preparing the way for the Lord.  There was one who was to come after him, who was mightier than he.  Jehovah God Himself was coming to His people.  People needed to confess and repent of their sin, be baptized by water, and be ready for the baptism of the Holy Spirt. 
Today, we still need to repent and get right with God.  Are we ready for the second coming of Christ?

The full message is available through DVD.  Please see Romy.

We welcome our guests, Bill and Margaret Hinton from Michigan.   They are personal friends of Mary Ann Germaine.

We also welcome Robert and Teri Slager:

Art Modrzejewski

Today, we bid a fond farewell to our beloved Art Modrzejewski.  His favorite scripture was Psalm 91, also known as the Soldier's Psalm:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:  his truth shall be thy shield and buckler...

The Blessings of Salvation

Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Dale Schreiber, Missionary to Muslims. The title of his message was "The Blessings of Salvation"; and the text used was Ephesians 1: 1-14

Paul, an apostle of Jesu Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:  Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ...

What are the blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ? Here is a quick re-cap:
I.  Our election in Christ; we were chosen by God

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love....  verse 4

II.  Our adoption into God's family; we are the children of God

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will... verse 5

III.  Our redemption in Christ; we've been set free from the bondage of sin

In whom we have redemption  through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace... verse 7

IV.  Our inheritance in Christ; we have a spiritual inheritance with its benefits through Christ; and, God inherited US.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will... verse 11

The complete message is available through DVD.  Please see Romy.

We welcome our guest, Lita.  She moved to Hoffman Estates from Fremont, California. 

Micah 6

Our speaker today was Mr Ken Botton,   Mr Botton has three main ministries: Part-time Professor at Trinity International University; Manager of the Military Chaplaincy Program for the Brethren Assemblies; and Associate Chaplain at O'Hare Airport. He's shown here with his wife, Patty. Welcome back to Park Manor Bible Chapel, Mr and Mrs Botton!   Click here for their previous visit with us.

His message was based on Micah 6:8 --

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God...

What does it mean to "...walk humbly with thy God"?  For our example in the Old Testament, let's take a look at Moses in Numbers 12:3 --

Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.

Moses' life can be divided into 3 parts: 
1. 40 years in Pharaoh's palace (look at me, how good I am)
2. 40 years in the backside of the desert (look at me, how desolate I am)
3. 40 yeas making History (don't look at me, look at God)

Moses' encounter with God began with his encounter with the burning bush (Exodus 3).  Here are two principles we can learn from that encounter:

1.  On fire with God, not for God.  Humbleness is God living in us .  As Jesus says in John 15, He is the vine, we are the branches.
2.  God wants our availability, not our ability. We need to be empty of ourselves, but filled to overflowing with God. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)  Note that when Peter was miraculously taken out of prison (Acts 12), his role was to simply get up, get dressed, and walk.  God did the rest (the impossible portion).


Mr Botton's full message is available on DVD.
Please see Romy for availability.

Engaged!

Here's a picture of Ryan Alderson with his Mom, Karen Yoder.
Ryan's mother was in town to celebrate Ryan's recent engagement to his fiancee, Amy D.  The wedding is set for next August.