EFCCL Women's Ministries Blog

Hiker Chicks: July 2009

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:44:45 -0600

Our hikers group is gearing up for another outing this month! Join us on Sunday, July 19 at 12:30 p.m. for a picnic lunch followed by a two-hour hike at Moraine Hills State Park. In the meantime, get some fresh air on the one-hour prairie trail walk tomorrow (Friday, June 10) at 5:30 p.m.

Please contact Martha Schuelke (847.854.8139 or schuelkemxn[at]juno.com) if you plan to attend or if you have any questions!

Living Proof Live: Simulcast in Crystal Lake

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:27:22 -0600

Join us August 28 and 29 for Living Proof Live, a special simulcast event featuring Beth Moore! Click here for more information on how to register!

How to Handle the Storms of Life: a Devotional by Alvira Colbert

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:40:06 -0600

Do you ever ask, "God, where are you when I need you?" I have often asked that question, but like the disciples, I have been slow to learn.

My son-in-law is in the last stages of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The brain cannot get messages to the muscles telling them to function. Gradually over the course of several years, the body loses the ability to move, leaving the person trapped in his body. Making matters worse, the individual still has a sound mind and can understand his surroundings.

During my time in God's Word this morning, He once again spoke His precious Word to me. It was as if He knew exactly what I needed to hear. "I am here! Don't be afraid" (John 6:20). These words were spoken to the disciples as they traveled across the Sea of Galilee on their way to Capernaum. They had been with Jesus the day before and witnessed the feeding of the five-thousand. That evening Jesus was alone praying when they started out across the sea. Four miles out to sea, a gale swept down upon them and the sea grew very rough. During the storm Jesus came to them walking on the water. Seeing that they were terrified, He called out to them, "I am here! Don't be afraid."

Jesus knew they were in the boat, and He knew the storm would occur. He called out to them in their distress reassuring them of His presence. Job says, "If He sends death to snatch someone away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, 'What are You doing?'" (Job 9:12,13)

We do not know God's purposes in suffering. Charles Spurgeon wisely stated, "I venture to say that the greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness. Sickness has frequently been of more use to the saints of God than health has." The nineteenth-century Scottish pastor David Dickson wrote, "On the bed of sickness the Lord ripens his people for glory . . ." God will not only sanctify the sick through sickness, but He will also teach and encourage the healthy through the same means.

God works His purpose for the good of His people and the glory of Himself. One thing that He is teaching me is that He is sovereign over sickness and healing, and that God calls His people to care for the needy and afflicted.

Book: From One Widow to Another

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:30:39 -0600

Title: From One Widow to Antoher
Author(s): Miriam Neff
Price: $13.99
ISBN: 080248784X

"Widow" is one title women do not want to have. Yet, according to the Surgeon General's office, 800,000 people become widows or widowers every year in the United States alone. Every aspect of a widow's existence changes--like it or not, ready or not. These changes to the structure of life just add to the emotional roller coaster that most women experience after losing their husband. Miriam Neff understands the emotional roller coaster ride widows are riding--she has been there, too. As she struggled to understand and accept her new role after her husband's death, she recognized the need for women to hear from other women about their experiences and what helped them transition to this new stage of life. This is a practical resource as well as emotional encouragement.

(Taken from the product description on Amazon.com.)

One of our most-recommended resources has been widowconnection.com, which features a collection of links and books and stories for and from widows. From One Widow to Another is authored by the Mirian Neff, the woman behind the Widow Connection website, and has also been recommended to us several times.

Summer Studies, Beth Moore, and Twitter!

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:32:01 -0600

It has been a busy summer already! We've been busy preparing for the Amazin' Blazin' Race and for Beth Moore's Living Proof Live simulcast. The summer Bible study (Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed) started today, and our book studies (How to Thrive from 9 to 5 and The Feminist Mistake) start this Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Even in the midst of all that, we've been getting questions about MOPS and Bible studies for next fall! We're so excited that the women of our church and community are already looking forward at new ways to get involved!

That said, if you're looking for even more up-to-date news than what we offer on the blog, follow our updates on Twitter! (If you're not sure how to do that, just call or email us! We'd be happy to help.) It's just one more way to connect what's going on with the church with what's going on in your life. If you're already a Twitter user, feel free to add us a friend and ask questions, send prayer requests, or just say hello!

Meanwhile, leave a comment to tell us how your summer has been going or how we can pray for you this week!

Book Study: The Feminist Mistake

Tue, 12 May 2009 11:07:09 -0600

Feminism remains one of the most urgent issues the church is facing today, as shown by the increasing confusion over gender roles in marriages, families, and churches. Mary Kassian provides a thought-provoking inquiry into the history of feminism in her book, The Feminist Mistake.

We will offer a special study of her book on Tuesday nights, beginning June 23 at 7 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please contact Alvira Colbert at 815.459.1095 x23 or leave a comment on this entry!

Living Proof Live: Beth Moore Simulcast

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:36:08 -0600

Summer activities can keep us even busier than we are during the rest of the year. That's why we're partnering with LifeWay to offer a live simulcast of Beth Moore's Living Proof Live conference. Instead of paying $60 and traveling to Green Bay for the weekend, join us here at the church on August 28 and 29 to get away, get renewed, and get a fresh Word from God.

When: August 28 (6 to 9:30 p.m.) and 29 (7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
Where: Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake
Featuring: Beth Moore is the featured speaker; Travis Cottrell and a praise team will lead worship throughout the weekend

Tickets cost $25 each, and registration is now open for women of all ages! We accept cash or checks (please make payable to EFCCL), and scholarships are available on a limited basis.

Online: We cannot accept payments online, but you can send us an email at rsankey[at]efccl.org with your name, home address, and phone number to get your name on the pre-registration list. We will mail you tickets upon receipt of payment.
Snail Mail: Send your cash or check along with your name, address, and phone number to the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake (Attn: Rachel), 575 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014.
In Person: Drop off your payment in an envelope (Attn: Rachel) with your name, address, and phone number! The church office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the office is closed, please use the drop box across from the main church office.

If you have any other questions, please leave a comment on this entry, shoot us an email, or give us a call! We look forward to seeing you there!

Amazin' Blazin' Race

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:24:15 -0600

This year, we're bringing back our annual event, the Amazin' Blazin' Race, a huge success in years past. We supply the drivers and the clues, and you provide the laughs! This event is designed to help cultivate relationships with other women in the church while your team follows the clues during the road rally.

Plan to meet at the church on Tuesday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m. to get your instructions and find your teammates. Invite your friends to join! We'll do our best to keep you and your friends in the same vehicle. Have a blast as your team deciphers the clues and races to be the first across the finish line.

Meet back at the church for refreshments and to see if the "traveling trophy" can be wrestled away from the previous winners!

Sign-up sheets will be available beginning in July, but keep an eye on the blog in the meantime for any updates. If you want to be contacted to help out with or simply participate in this event, leave a comment on this entry!

Summer Bible Study 2009

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:19:22 -0600

Our spring Bible studies are coming a close, but we'll be offering a Thursday morning study this summer, beginning June 18. We will work through a six-week study of the life of David, called Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed.

Taped at the 2007 Deeper Still event, three women explored their lives and the life of David. Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David contains the audio and video portions of the Deeper Still conference featuring Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur.

You'll laugh with them, cry with them, and learn to love God with them. These authors' messages are divided into three segments, two lessons each. Each segment focuses on the life of David at a different stage of his life: as a young man (by Priscilla Shirer), as a middle-aged man (by Beth Moore), and as a man facing the final third of his life (by Kay Arthur).

Information from LifeWay Stores.

Brochures with more information will be available in the weeks to come, but if you already know you want to register, leave a comment or send us an email! We'd be happy to add your name to the list.

Hiker Chicks: May 2009

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:04:24 -0600

Photograph courtesy of JohnTheBear at tripadvisor.com.

Are you interested in hiking? If so, join our new G! Group for ladies of the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake as well as women living in the Crystal Lake area. Our next hike will be on Sunday, May 17 at Geneva Lake Shore Path from 12:30 'til 5 p.m. We'll meet here at the church first and enjoy a picnic lunch.

R.S.V.P. to Martha Schuelke at 847.854.8139 or schuelkemxn[at]juno.com. (Replace the [at] with @.)

Fun in the Sun: Summer Ministries

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:56:20 -0600

Thanks to all who joined us for the Girlville event last Saturday! We hope you were blessed by all that Kim Bolton had to share, and we pray that God used that time together to touch your hearts.

Although it seems like spring just arrived, we're already getting ready for summer plans. Here's a look at what's ahead so far:

The Hiker Chicks will be heading to Lake Geneva Shore Path on May 17. »»
Our next meeting of Sonshine Scrappers will be on May 21. »»
Common Threads will not meet in May, but keep knitting! We'll meet again on Monday, June 1. »»
Summer Bible studies begin on June 18. »»
Clear the roads! We're bringing back the Amazin' Blazin' Race on August 4. »»
NEW! Watch Beth Moore's Living Proof Live conference right here at the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake. We're hosting a simulcast on August 28 and 29! »»

Stay tuned by subscribing to the email updates of our blog entries. As always, feel free to leave a comment or send us an email if you have any questions!

Coming Up Next Week

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:55:13 -0600

Sonshine Scrappers: Ladies, come out to the church at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 to scrapbook, make cards, and enjoy some friendly conversation. Card kits are available for a small fee, or you can bring your own projects from home.

Hiker Chicks: Our first hike is coming up on Saturday, April 18! We'll depart from the church at 10 a.m. and head over to Crabtree Nature Center for a few hours of hiking.

For more information on either of these groups, please leave a comment on this entry!

LYDIA Home Association

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:33:59 -0600

LYDIA Home Association is a Christian organization based in Chicago that focuses on serving children and families in need. They offer foster care, counseling, parenting classes, and many other services to the community. Members of the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake support this vital group with donations of school supplies and other items throughout the year and with our Giving Tree ministry during the holidays.

Kelcey Gropp recently contacted us with some new opportunities for people to support the work of LYDIA through their online searching and shopping. GoodSearch is a search engine (like Google) that donates 50% of its revenue to listed charities, one of which is now LYDIA Home! GoodShop also supports charities, giving a percentage of your online purchases to the organization of your choice. Just visit the website and select "LYDIA Home Association" as your charity before you begin shopping at places like iTunes, Barnes & Noble, eBay, Expedia.com, Home Depot, and many others.

Learn more about this ministry by visiting www.lydiahome.org or by searching for LYDIA Home Association on Facebook.

Bible Study: Stepping Up (Psalms 120-134)

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:42:47 -0600

Join us Tuesday, March 31 at 9 a.m. as we begin a new 7-week study through Stepping Up, Beth Moore's guide to Psalms 120-134.

"These 15 Psalms were familiar worship songs for the ancient Israelites traveling to the temple in Jerusalem. For new Testament believers, all of life becomes a journey toward the new Jerusalem. As this journey becomes your own, you'll interact with Beth Moore and the Scriptures in totally new ways through the video group sessions and personal study. As you reflect, pray, and respond to a variety of themes found in these treasured psalms, you'll experience a new level of intimacy with God. This unique study is enriched with songs performed by Travis Cottrell and other musical guests."

(Taken from the LifeWay Christian Stores catalogue.)

Leave a comment on this blog entry or give us a call (815.459.1095) for more information!

Living Proof Live: Beth Moore Conference

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:10:43 -0600

Register now for a trip to Green Bay, WI, on August 28 and 29 to attend Living Proof Live. This "fun-filled Bible study, teaching, and worship experience" will feature a unique message by Beth Moore, designed to challenge and encourage women of all ages.

Tickets are $60 plus the cost of an overnight stay at a nearby hotel. If you plan to attend with the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake, call Cathy Kroening at 815.444.7050 (or leave a comment on this entry), so we can arrange transportation accordingly.

Register by phone: 800.254.2022
Register by fax: 615.251.3730
Register by mail: Living Proof Live, P.O. Box 24001, Nashville, TN 37202
Register online: www.lifeway.com