Christmas Sharing is Saturday, Dec. 14 this year, and we will again work with six other churches across Wheaton to provide food, coats, toys and more to 750+ families in need across the District 200 community. We are again partnering with the Northern Illinois Food Bank and Toys for Tots.

We will need many volunteers as we distribute the food, toys and coats — similar to 2023.

We will be accepting donations of new children's coats, toys and diapers/wipes. Look for the angel tree in the Commons with specific size needs. 

If you'd like to volunteer at Gary Church, fill out the sign-up sheet in the Commons. If you'd like to volunteer at St. John Lutheran or be a driver, sign up here.

Stephen and Carla Lovett, Dan and Suzy Wible

Christmas Sharing 2024 Gary Church co-chairs

Scripture reminds us again and again to give thanks to God, from whom all blessings flow. Here at Gary Church we continue to fill our gratitude jar! Share what you are thankful for by filling out a card at the Welcome Desk or by using the form here.

Gary Preschool buys gift cards at a discount; you buy them at full face value and redeem them for full face value, and the preschool keeps the difference. Shop online at raiseright.com and use the code: E278BD5913386. Or, print and fill out this flyer and return to the preschool.

If you order by Sunday, Dec. 8, you should receive your gift cards by Sunday, Dec. 15.

Wednesdays, Dec. 4–Dec. 18, 5:15–6:30 p.m., Commons

Join us for fellowship and food as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ — together! Soup makers willing to share their culinary talents are wanted. Sign up to participate and/or to provide soup.

Saturday, Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m.

Gary Kids families are invited to gather for a festive night out where they’ll enjoy Lombard Park District’s Lilacia Park Lights. Charming holiday displays illuminate the park with magical light shows, tree decorations, complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, and favorite holiday characters. Register here.

Friday, Jan. 24, 5 p.m.–Saturday, Jan. 25, 4 p.m.

La Salle Manor Retreat Center | Plano, IL

“Darkness” is often used as a metaphor for something bad, something to be avoided. But what if “seasons of darkness” aren’t to be avoided but embraced? What if seasons of darkness allow us to experience God in new ways that help us grow? Gary Church women are invited to gather for connection, reflection, and conversation at a weekend retreat inspired by Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark.

Cost is $150 per person. Register here. 

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2-6 p.m., Activity Center or Commons
Each pint donated can save up to three lives. The need is constant, and every pint is precious. Register here. Walk-ins also welcome. 2025 dates: Feb. 5, May 7, Aug. 20 and Nov. 19.

Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m.

Do you sing, dance, juggle, tell jokes, do magic or have some secret talent you’re longing to showcase? Get your acts ready for Gary’s Got Talent, a fun night featuring Gary’s talented kids, youth and adults!

No-cut auditions: Sunday, Feb. 9, 3–4:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Feb. 12, 4:30–6 p.m.

Sign up for a 10-minute audition spot. Acts should be no more than three minutes.

Rehearsals: Sunday, Feb. 23, 3 p.m. & Saturday, March 1, 10 a.m.

Stewardship is using the gifts and resources God has entrusted to us. At Gary Church, this takes many forms: tithing regularly, teaching a class, serving on a committee, making care cards, singing in choir, baking cookies, supporting missions, etc.

We invite you to open wide your heart and prayerfully consider how sharing your spiritual gifts and financial resources can help you to continue to grow in joyful faith and serve all in love.

• “Get Connected” will show you the many ways you can share your spiritual gifts.

• “Stewardship Campaign: Open Wide Our Hearts” will show how you can pledge your resources.

We’re looking for contributors for our annual Lenten Devotional. It’s a beautiful compilation of personal stories of God at work, sent to your email throughout Lent. Take a photo. Write a poem. Draw a picture. Maybe a recent reflection or Scripture passage has touched you. Or maybe our theme for the year, “Open Wide Our Hearts” has moved you.

We invite all children, youth and adults to share reflections, personal stories and glimpses of God at work in our lives. If you know you’d like to share something, please register. You’re welcome to email your devotion any time before Friday, Feb. 7 to Janet Mathis.  Here's an example of a devotion:

Be still, and know that I am God.  

Psalm 46:10

Reminders

This past Christmas, Anna gave me this mug with Psalm 46:10 written on it, and Jack gave me this lumbar pillow that says, “naps fix everything.” The running joke in our family is sleep is my answer to just about everything. When the kids were little, if they were even just the slightest bit cranky, I put them down for a nap. Even now as teenagers and adults, sleep is pretty much my go-to remedy for anything that ails us.

Problem is… sometimes the mind races and sleep is elusive. Sometimes activities keep us from going to bed at the same time. Most times we wake up to an alarm. Oftentimes we don’t get all the sleep we should.

And, even in our waking hours, we’re racing from one thing to another. We’re worrying about this or that. I think my kids were trying to tell me something this Christmas. The pillow and the mug are gentle reminders that God is in charge. It’s okay to be still—in fact, it might even be preferred to the hustle and bustle.  

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for taking the heavy load. Help us to see that there’s comfort in knowing we’re not in charge. Amen.

Action: Stop and be still. Find a “reminder” of God’s power.

Contributor: Janet Mathis  

Order T-shirts and/or sweatshirts with our 2024-2025 theme, "Open wide our hearts," based on 2 Corinthians 6:13. Order here.