We seek to be a congregation that reaches out with love and generosity to those in our midst who are in need (Acts 4:34). The Agape Fund’s purpose is to help meet the urgent financial needs of members, attendees, or others associated with LMC. It is generally designed for a one-time grant, although an additional grant will be considered under special circumstances. The Fund is administered by the Pastoral Care Committee. If you become aware of a need in our church, please contact Wanda Bouwman (chair) or one of our pastors.
ANABAPTISM
This is a word that you’ll hear quite a bit here at LMC! It has its origin in the Greek words ana (“again”) and baptein(“to dip into water”). During the Protestant Reformation, those who believed that baptism should be reserved only for adult believers were called Anabaptists or “re-baptizers.” What made these first Anabaptists especially distinctive was the way they sought to integrate faith (believing in Jesus) and practice (following Jesus in daily life). This led them to place a strong emphasis on Christ-centered discipleship, the church as a voluntary and visible fellowship of born-again believers, an ethic of love and nonviolence, economic mutual aid, bold evangelism, and interpreting Scripture in community through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we talk about “Anabaptists” today, we’re referring to the more than 1.2 million Christians in the believers church tradition who trace their roots back to this 16th century reform movement: Mennonites, Hutterites, Amish, Church of the Brethren, and Brethren in Christ.
ANOINTING
We believe that God desires for us to experience healing and wholeness in every part of our lives: in our relationships, bodies, minds and hearts. The disciples of Jesus used oil to anoint the sick (Mark 6:13) and the early church continued this practice (James 5:14), as did our Anabaptist forebears. Anointing services take place four times each year, on the first Sunday of March, June, September and December. Both children and adults are welcome to participate.
Each spring, our Pastors lead a class called Exploring Faith. This is an opportunity for seekers to explore Christian faith and the way of Jesus Christ. After this class has ended, participants are invited to contact our Pastors when they feel ready to be baptized and become members of our congregation.
BIBLE
At LMC we believe “that all Scripture is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit for instruction in salvation and training in righteousness. We accept the Scriptures as the Word of God and as the fully reliable and trustworthy standard for Christian faith and life. We seek to understand and interpret Scripture in harmony with Jesus Christ as we are led by the Holy Spirit in the church” (Confession of Faith). As individuals, we seek to nurture our relationship with God through daily Bible reading in our homes. In our Sunday worship, our readings come from the New Revised Standard Version..
BULLETIN
Our Sunday bulletin is compiled by our Church Administrative Assistant, Katharine Richert, and edited by John Stoltzfus. The weekly deadline is Thursday, 8:30 AM. The bulletin goes to print on Friday morning.
It takes a whole church to raise a child! At a dedication service, parents bring their child to be blessed by God and to ask for the faith community’s help in nurturing him or her to become a follower of Jesus. Contact one of our Pastors if you would like to have your child dedicated.
CHOIR
As Mennonites, we especially value and love music! As St. Augustine once said, “Those who sing pray twice.” Our choir meets for practice at 8:30 AM on Sunday mornings. See Katie Aucremann, our Choir Director, if you are interested in participating.
CHURCH RETREAT
Each September, we gather for our all-church retreat at one of the Mennonite camp centers. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to fellowship together, sing around the campfire, and be reminded of the beauty of God’s creation. Newcomers are especially welcome!
COMMUNION
All are welcome to participate who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ and have received baptism. In eating the bread and drinking the cup, we experience Christ’s presence in our midst and renew our covenant to be the body of Christ in the world. Children may come forward with their parents to receive a blessing. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper twelve times each year, on the first Sunday of every month.
CONFESSION OF FAITH
Our congregational life and faith are guided by the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. Copies are available in the church office.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS
Our congregation meets on a quarterly basis to make decisions together and to carry out the mission of our church. All regular attendees are strongly encouraged to attend!
LMC keeps an updated directory listing the names, phone numbers, mailing and email addresses of all regular attendees. Be sure to inform our Church Administrative Assistant Katharine Richert if any of your information changes.
We believe that we are all on a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and study of the Bible. We strongly encourage you to participate in one of the classes that meet each Sunday morning after worship. Our children meet from 11:15 AM -12:15 PM. Adults meet from 11:30 AM -12:15 PM. Adult classes meet on a quarterly basis for 13 straight weeks and are listed in the bulletin. See Paul Joireman for details. All times take place 30 minutes earlier in June, July and August.
What our congregation celebrated in 2004! LMC was founded on Sunday, October 23, 1954. That night, there were 14 charter members. In 1956, our land was purchased for $11,250!
FORUM GROUPS
All members and regular attendees are invited to participate in one of our four forums: Mission, Worship, Community Life, and Education. This is an opportunity to shape and contribute to one of the particular ministries of our church.
We are committed to raising up new lay leaders and to providing opportunities for our members to explore, test, and develop gifts that will benefit our congregation and the wider church. Leadership Development Funds are administered by the Ministry Team and are available for church-related seminars, workshops, classes, attendance at conventions, and leadership seminars. An application can be requested from our church office.
LIBRARIES
We have three different libraries in our church! Books can be checked out for two weeks. At the back of the sanctuary you’ll find our adult library. Check the card catalog if you’re looking for a book on a particular subject or by a particular author. Our junior department library is located on the same level as our sanctuary, in the west wing. Our primary department library is located on the lower level, also in the west wing. See Valerie Kropf, our Church Librarian, if you have any questions.
LOMBARD MENNONITE PEACE CENTER
LMPC was birthed as a ministry of our congregation in 1983 and became an independently incorporated organization in 1998. It provides training in mediation skills and conflict resolution, workshops on healthy congregations, and provides counseling for those exploring conscientious objection to war. For further information contact Dick Blackburn, Director, at 630-627-0507.
Mailboxes are located downstairs and are available to all regular attendees. If you would like a mailbox, call our church office
MEMBERSHIP
Each spring and fall, our Pastors lead a month-long course called Exploring Membership. This class is for persons who are already baptized and are interested in transferring their membership from another congregation. We explore the basic principles of Anabaptism, the history of our congregation, and practical ways for you to get “plugged in” here at LMC. New members are received and welcomed in a special Sunday morning worship service.
MENNONITE CONNECTIONS
LMC is a member of the Illinois Mennonite Conference. Nationally, we are a part of the Mennonite Church, USA (after the 2001 merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church). In Chicago, our Pastors are part of a Mennonite Pastors Cluster that meets together monthly for mutual support and prayer
MENNONITE MUTUAL AID
MMA is an organization that works together with local congregations to meet needs both within the church and in the local community. Sharing fund grants (usually matched by congregational giving) are available for expenses related to adoptions, funerals, community service, handicap accessibility, health promotion, life crisis situations, community outreach, voluntary service, and youth group projects. See John Yoder, our MMA Advocate (630-510-1785).
MENTORS & MENTEES
Upon turning twelve, all of our young people are encouraged to link up with a mentor. This is a valuable and life-changing experience for both youth and adults.
MINISTRIES
We encourage you to contribute your gifts to one of our ministries:
·Chicago Mennonite Learning Center: A K-8 school on the south side of Chicago. See Gloria Garza.
·Camp Menno Haven: in Tiskilwa, IL. See Carol Bohnert.
·Mennonite Central Committee: We support many different MCC projects. See Jana Bergfeld.
·Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS): This is a bimonthly ministry to the homeless in our area. See Ann Pasnick or Peggy McKenzie.
·Ten Thousand Villages: This is a store for fairly traded handicrafts from around the world, located in downtown Glen Ellyn. See Jane Halteman or Suzanne Kauffman, Co-Managers (630-790-1166).
MINISTRY TEAM
Our congregation is led by a Ministry Team of five lay ministers and two pastors: Scott Miller (Congregational Chair, Administration), Todd Friesen (Pastor), Sandra Joireman (Mission), Adam Law (Education), Laurie Yoder (Worship), Hilary Rhodes (Community Life), and John Stoltzfus (Pastor). This Team provides spiritual oversight and vision to our congregation and serves as the coordinating center for congregational decision-making. The Lay Minister of Administration always chairs this team.
MISSION STATEMENT OF LMC
“The Lombard Mennonite Church, an Anabaptist-Mennonite congregation in the western Chicago suburbs, is called to witness to and embody the transforming power of the gospel and the reign of God in all areas of life. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we aim to integrate being and doing, discipleship and spirituality by engaging in proclamation and service, worship and outreach, evangelism and social concern, peacemaking and justice. We strive to be a faith community of healing, hope, and hospitality which welcomes Mennonites, other Christians interested in Anabaptism, and all people seeking for God and a spiritual home.” (October 17,1999)
“MISSIONAL” CHURCH
Our Mennonite denomination is challenging all congregations to become “missional.” But you probably won’t be able to find this word in your dictionary! In a nutshell, we’re being called to view mission not only as something we go to do only in faraway places. Mission is also at the very heart of God’s purpose for our congregation -- right here in Chicago. God is calling LMC to make visible the good news of Jesus Christ in ways that are attractive, challenging, and relevant. Being a missional church means orienting every part of our congregational life around this central focus: our worship, community life, education, and outreach/service.
MONDAY
Our Pastors’ Sabbath day of rest. The church office is closed.
MYF
Our youth group (grades 8-12) is called the Mennonite Youth Fellowship. They meet during the education hour in the living room of the church Fairfield parsonage. They are also involved in regular activities of mission and service both locally and globally. Two of their annual fundraisers include the Lombardo’s Bistro and providing parking to the public during the Taste of Lombard (July 4 weekend). See Laura Richards (Chair), Jim Householter (Sponsor) or John Stoltzfus for more details.
Special offering envelopes can be requested from Katharine Richert, our Church Bookkeeper. Those who use these numbered envelopes will receive a letter at the end of each year reporting their total annual giving. Also see “Stewardship.”
Is our Lead Pastor. His primary ministries include preaching, pastoral care, administration and occasional teaching. He serves on the Ministry Team, Worship Commission, and Pastoral Care Committee. Todd’s e-mail is:
Todd came to LMC in August 2000 after graduating from the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart , Indiana . He is married to Dennette Alwine, and they have a daughter named Jasmine. Earlier, Todd & Dennette spent seven years in China working with Mennonite Mission Network and China Educational Exchange. In his spare time, Todd enjoys birdwatching, being at Wrigley Field (former site of a seminary), collecting jokes, and cooking spicy Chinese food.
JOHN STOLTZFUS . . .
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s our Associate Pastor. His primary ministries include youth ministry, small group oversight, monthly preaching and worship-leading, and teaching. He serves on the Ministry Team, Education Commission, Pastoral Care Committee, Worship Commission and Youth Ministry Committee. John’s e-mail is:
John came to LMC in November 2001 after graduating from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in Harrisonburg , VA. He is married to Paula, and they have a son named Justin and a daughter named Lilianna. John is originally from Morgantown, PA, where he grew up on a farm. Prior to coming to LMC, he participated in assignments in various places of the world including China and Central America. His interests include bicycling, following the Phillies, and gardening.
PASTOR CONGREGATION RELATIONS COMMITTEE
The PCRC generally meets on a quarterly basis with each of our Pastors. They review workload, assess priorities, foster communication between the congregation and pastors, encourage personal and professional growth, mediate in conflictual situations, and report regularly on the PCRC’s work to the congregation. This committee is made up of Karin Redekopp Edwards (Chair), Mona Blosser, Curtis Funk and Carlen Sellers.
PASTORAL CARE
We believe that the mutual care and support of one another is the responsibility of every member of LMC. We also recognize that we need help in organizing this care and making sure that it continues to happen over time. Toward this end, we have called out a Pastoral Care Committee made up of Wanda Bouwman (Chair), Doran Blakeslee, Stephanie Eby, Julie Geiser, Mel Glick, Jane Halteman, Leah Kabira, Todd Friesen and John Stoltzfus. Please contact one of them if you would welcome a visit or would like to share a special concern. All information shared with this Committee will be treated with full confidentiality.
POTLUCK
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If you don’t know what this is, you’d better just come and experience one! Our potlucks bring together two of life’s greatest joys: good fellowship and good food! We often hold potlucks before our congregational meetings and other special occasions
Joining a small group is one of the best ways to get connected here at LMC! We believe that small groups strengthen individuals by providing places for us to study, share, pray and grow together. Most small groups at LMC meet once or twice each month. See John Stoltzfus or Hilary Rhodes for details.
SPECIAL NEEDS & ACCESSIBILITY
Our church is committed to making our worship and other activities fully accessible for all people. Our new elevator makes all three levels of our church wheelchair-accessible. See one of our ushers if you would like to use a listening device during worship or need a large-print bulletin. Please let us know if there is any other way that we can improve the accessibility of our facilities.
SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
A spiritual guide is someone who helps you become more aware of God’s presence, to respond more fully to God’s call in your life, and to learn how to practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and Bible study. If you desire to deepen your relationship with God and to develop your prayer life, we encourage you to contact Jane Halteman, our congregation’s Spiritual Director. Spiritual guidance is available in both individual and group settings. Brochures are available on the Welcome Table at the back of the sanctuary.
STEWARDSHIP/GIVING
Having experienced God’s amazing grace in Jesus Christ, we gratefully seek to respond by offering the first and the best of our lives back to God and to use the rest in generous ways that honor God and extend the Kingdom. We seek to practice firstfruits giving to God through this church, with the tithe (10% of income) as the Bible’s benchmark and starting point. We recognize that some will need to grow toward this goal over time and that others will feel called by God to generous giving far beyond this standard. Regular attendees are invited to make a financial pledge to our church each October (for the coming year). Also see “Offering Envelopes.”
STRUCTURE
In 2000, LMC adopted a new congregational structure in order to better carry out the vision and work of our church. You can find a visual diagram of this structure hanging above the Welcome Table in the back of the sanctuary. The church structure is comprised of four commissions, each relating to its respective forum and the Administration Commission.
Our store in Glen Ellyn (499C Pennsylvania Ave.) celebrated its 20th anniversary last year as a ministry of LMC. Villages provides vital and fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. These artisans are often unemployed or underemployed and their income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing. To be a volunteer, contact Jane Halteman or Suzanne Kauffman, Co-Managers (630-790-1166).
Our Junior High youth group (grades 6-7) meets during the education hour and is also involved in regular activities of fun and service. See Paul Joireman, Jan Yoder or Paula Stoltzfus for more information.
VISION STATMENT
In September 2007, we adopted a new vision statement: Come Follow Jesus With Us. This statement reflects our calling to be invitational and welcoming, our commitment to Christ-centered discipleship and peacemaking, and our conviction that we can only achieve these things together in community.
VITAL
SIGNS
This is the name of our monthly church newsletter, which has been going strong since 1984. It comes out at the beginning of each month and is edited by our Church Administrative Assistant, Katharine Richert.
Our church’s main web site is:
http://www.lombardmennonite.org
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Click here to see photos of our church, to look at a copy of the bulletin or to read a recent sermon. Our Webmaster is Terry MacGregor. We post recordings of our worship services at http://audio.lombardmennonite.org. Contact the church office for the password.
We believe that marriage is a lifelong covenant and that careful preparation pays off in the long run. Please contact our Pastors at least nine months before your projected wedding date. One of our Pastors will then schedule a series of four to five pre-marital counseling sessions with you. This process includes taking a very helpful pre-marriage inventory called PREPARE. The goal is to allow plenty of time for you to focus on your relationship before the pressures of the wedding event itself take over!
WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES
Wednesdays find a number of different activities happening in our church. These events are suspended during the summer.
Women’s Bible Study : Meets at 9:30 AM.
Shared Meal: 6:00 - 7:00 PM. Join us for good food and fellowship!
Evening Prayer: 7:00 - 7:30 PM. See Jane Halteman.
Bible Study: 7:30 - 8:30 PM.
Z
ZERO
The number of perfect people at Lombard Mennonite Church ! We warmly welcome you to join us on our journey of discipleship -- life shared with and shaped by Jesus Christ!
