WELCOME NEW VISITORS 

Webmaster note:
This month's issue contained information about many new members.  According to our privacy policy, some facts have been removed.

Mark and Melissa
Lockport, IL

            The D. family joined Faith Church on May 7 when Mark and Melissa affirmed their faith in Jesus Christ and Ian and Camryn were baptized.  They started coming to Faith Church with Neal and Nancy M.  Melissa is Neil’s niece.  They had lived in Tinley Park for the past few years and just recently moved to Lockport.

            Melissa’s parents live in Normal, Illinois.  She graduated from Normal Community High School.  Mark’s family is in Chicago.  He graduated from DeLaSalle Institute.  Mark and Melissa met at Illinois State University where Mark played baseball and Melissa was an athletic training student.  He has a Business Degree and she has a Physical Education Degree from Illinois State.

            Melissa is happy to be a “stay at home mom” with Ian, 2 years old, and Camryn, 7 months.  She did recently begin working some evenings as a Pampered Chef saleslady.  Mark trained in Springfield and has been working for four years as an Illinois State policeman.  He works the midnight shift—that’s why they are more faithful in attending the evening worship services at Faith.  Both Mark and Melissa enjoy working out and staying physically active.  Mark enjoys golfing and yard work.

            Welcome to the Faith church family!  We’re happy you’re here!

Eric A. & Jill B.
Munster, IN

            Eric & Jill joined Faith Church a few weeks ago.  They both made profession of faith and Jill was baptized on May 14.    They are planning to be married at Faith on September 8 of this year.  They just bought their home in Munster and Eric will be moving into it on the 1st of June.  The year 2000 is going to hold lots of memories for this couple!  In addition to their professions, baptism, wedding, and new home, Eric is also graduating from DePaul University College of Law!  He will take the bar exam in July.  Eric is employed by the law firm of Spangler, Jennings, & Dougherty in Merrillville, IN and will continue to work there.

            Jill B. is from Tinley Park and her parents still live here.  She has a Lutheran background.   She graduated from Tinley Park High School and from Winona State University in Winona, MN.   She is a Registered Nurse working at St. Margaret Mercy Hospital in Hammond.  One of the reasons why Eric and Jill chose to visit Faith was because Jill attended Busy Bees here several years ago. 

            Eric's parents and younger brother live in Lansing, IL.  He is an Illiana and Trinity Christian College graduate.  Eric was in the Christian Reformed Church as a child, then went to a Presbyterian church, and is now back in the CRC (which makes his parents and grandparents happy!).

            In her free time Jill enjoys playing softball and tennis.  Eric likes to watch NASCAR racing and plays golf.  They hope to get involved in activities at Faith.  They express thanks to Pastor Ouwinga for all that he has done in leading them to their profession of faith and membership at Faith Church.  We wish them both well in this exciting year in their lives.

George S.
Tinley Park, IL

            George has been attending Faith Church for some time and this month joined by affirming his faith in Jesus Christ.  He has a Catholic background, graduating from St. Laurence High School in Chicago and St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, IN.  He grew up on the south side of Chicago.

            Also in the picture is his wife, Kathie and grandson, Michael P.  George and Kathie have one daughter.  Kathie is a sister to Luann S.

            George works at Javo-Mex, a contract packaging company in Chicago.  He is a Production Supervisor and worked the night shift until recently.   Due to a foot injury he was put on the day shift and hopes to remain there.  Kathie works at Panduit.

            George has a great sense of humor.  When asked about his hobbies he referred to himself as a "nautical hitchhiker".  That means that he is willing to work as a deck hand on his friend's sailboat!  He also likes to play around with astronomy - he has found the moon and is trying to find other objects with a telescope!

            Welcome to Faith Church, George.  We hope that you will be blessed here.

COFFEE BREAK NURSERY

            The Nursery was once again an indispensable part of the overall Coffee Break ministry this past year.  We were blessed by and truly grateful for the wonderfully patient, loving Nursery Attendants who served in Coffee Break Nursery each Wednesday morning, caring for infants and toddlers whose moms were meeting to study the Bible.

            Our “regular” weekly Nursery Attendants were Rachel F., Elaine K. and Georgiana S.  Sincere thanks also to the following individuals who gave of their time and energy by helping out at least once in Coffee Break Nursery this past year:

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

     Howdy Partners!   Come on and saddle up with us and "Be a Star for Jesus"!  This year we will learn about five different real life "Stars" for Jesus.

     In keeping with our western theme we will be collecting "Vittles for Hungry Ranch hands" and donating the money or food collected to Tinley Park Food Pantry.

     We are very excited about VBS 2000!  We have made some changes this year that will hopefully bring in more neighborhood children.   On Friday, June 23, at 11:30 a.m., we will have our program.  This will be followed by a hot dog luncheon in our fellowship hall.  We hope this will be a warm fellowship for everyone attending and helping with VBS.

     If Cadets, Gems, Coffee break, or others would like to set out crafts or materials representing your group you are welcome to do so.

     Please remember to keep all of VBS in your prayers.  For some neighborhood children this is their first or only exposure to the word of God.  We are trying to show them that God loves us and we can call on him always!

     Donations of Cookies and Kool - aid can be brought to the kitchen at any time now.  Please label them for VBS.  The cookies we can put in the freezer so they stay fresh.   Thanks for your support!

ATTENTION ALL SHEPHERDS AND HELPERS FOR VBS

      Mandatory Pizza Party, Decorating church meeting!
      June 14,   at 6:30 p.m.  We need everyone's help!  

     This will be a short overview of the week, and then on to decorating the church.   Story tellers, craft people, and all ranch hands are encouraged to come out and help.  The vittles will be pizza, chips, and pop!  Please come out and help.  We cannot do this alone.  Thanks!

Lisa E. and Mary D.

CONGRATULATIONS!

to the following 8th grade graduates:

Congratulations to these High School graduates! 

Amy A. is graduating from Chicago Christian High School.  She is an "Illinois State Scholar".  In high school she was active in the National Honors Society, Vision Team, Senior Retreat Committee, and prayer groups.  She also played tennis.  Amy will attend Trinity this fall. 

Mary B. is graduating from CCHS where she attained the High Honor Roll all 4 years and is an "Illinois State Scholar".  She sang in the Chamber Chorale and in the Concert Choir, and was a cheerleader.  Mary also was a member of the National Honors Society, and worked on the school newspaper.   She is named in "Who's Who Among American High School Seniors".  Mary will work at McDonalds this summer and head off to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this fall. 

Jim B. played football at CCHS as you can see by his picture!  After graduation he will be working at Beatty Lumber.  He has no college plans at this time.

Samantha (Sam) DJ is graduating from Chicago Christian.  She plans to attend Colorado Christian University as a computer/business major.

Jon H., another CCHS grad, has been active in Cross Country and Track.  He is also a Vision Team member, attained High honor roll, and worked on the school newspaper.  He will be working at Camp Roger in Michigan this summer and will attend Loyola University this fall.

Tim H. is graduating from Chicago Christian High School.  Playing football was his favorite activity there.  He will be working at a farm stand this summer and attending Joliet Junior College this fall.  He would like to become a fireman.  Joining the army is also a possibility for Tim.     

Andy S. was a Care Convention Student Leader and played basketball and golf at CCHS.  He received the Most Improved Player award and the Sportsmanship award.  Andy has also been a YP student leader at Faith.  This summer he will be working at Baas Greenhouse and mowing lawns.  This fall Andy will enter Moraine Valley's CADD program and will probably transfer to a technical college in two years.

Another CCHS grad is Danielle T.  She has sung in the Women's Chorus and in Concert Choir.   She was involved with senior activities, the dances, prayer groups, and with the Care Convention.  Danielle will continue working at Victorian Village this summer and attend Trinity Christian College in the fall.  She will be an Art Education major with a goal of teaching art to K-8 students.

Eric T. is graduating from Andrew High School.  He was on the volleyball team at Andrew.  He will be working full time at Best Buy and hopes to attend Easter Illinois University as an Accounting major.

Sara VB. was also involved in many activities at Chicago Christian.  She played volleyball, was a cheerleader, in National Honors Society, was Co-editor of the school yearbook, sang in Concert Choir and Chamber Chorale, and participated in the Care Convention and in prayer groups.  She received a Coach's award, Sportsmanship award, and a Christian Athlete award for cheerleading.  Sara is also a member of sHine! praise band.  She will attend Trinity Christian College.

Jason VM. will be graduating from Andrew High School.  He played volleyball all four years.  Jason plans on working at Montgomery Ward for the summer and will be attending Eastern Illinois University in the fall.   He plans on majoring in Business Management.

Joe V. is graduating from Chicago Christian High School.  He played football all 4 years, was on the Vision Team and the Senior Retreat Committee.  He will be working in construction this summer.  This fall he will be playing football at North Central College in Naperville.

OTHER GRADUATES:

Kristen D. graduated from Calvin College on May 20 with a major in English.   She will be returning to Calvin this fall to finish a 2nd major in Economics.  She also has a minor in Spanish.  This summer Kristen will be working in Christian Ministries in the Grand Tetons.   Everyone is invited to go visit her there!

John H. is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Chemistry major, from North Central College.  John will work for Ogden Hill Cement this summer.  His future plans include getting married (in Wisconsin) on August 18, 2001 and then going to graduate school in the fall of 2001.

 Anne O. graduated from Concordia University on May 6 with an AB in Psychology.  She is back at home and will be going for her Masters degree in Counseling at Governors State.

Laura T. graduated from North Park University on May 13 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.  She is unsure of her future plans at this time.

Jason B. will be graduating on June 10  from North Central College in Naperville with a double major- History and Business Administration: Marketing.  Jason will also be married this summer—to Dana VK.  Jason and Dana met at school on a group project.

Jason plans on working full time for M.E. Fields, Inc., which is five car dealerships featuring BMW, Infiniti, Jeep, Land Rover and Volvo in the northern suburbs. He will be System Information and Project Manager.