A Reminder: New Year, Same King December 31, 2007
Posted by Steve in : The City, Sunday Services, Church, Inside Park, Urban Church, Missional, DifferenceMakers , add a commentThis Sunday, Park Community Church was honored to have Victor Rodriguez,
Senior Pastor of La Villita Community Church here in Chicago give the last message of the year. Victor is a differencemaker in Chicago and leads a congregation in the “Little Village ” area of Chicago located around 26th street and Kedzie.
Little Village is the retail, residential and cultural capital of the Mexican community in the Midwest—a neighborhood alive with Mexican arts and culture, and a great place to live for both longtime residents and new immigrants. Over the past 30 years, Little Village has become a major port of entry for Mexican immigrants, and more than half of its residents are under the age of 25.
As we begin to think about our new year’s resolutions, Victor implored us to get to know the King better in his message. His message was a strong reminder of the King we serve and this video he played is a great reminder of all that Jesus is, qwhat he does and what He will always be:
Chicago at Christmas: Looking for Something to Do? December 24, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , add a commentSunday, December 23rd
It’s a Wonderful White Christmas
It’s time to warm up those vocal cords and make sure your peepers are top of the line because it’s Chicago’s 24th Annual Christmas Sing-A-Long and Double Feature. White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life are the perfect Christmas-time movies to get in the mood for the season. Plus, it’s the perfect haunt after an early evening of ice skating at one of the many rinks in Chicago that are open between November 24th and February 28th.
Monday, December 24th — Christmas Eve
The Four Seasons Is Nuts
While you may or may not be able to afford to sleep over at the Four Seasons, everyone can afford their complimentary roasted chestnuts served between 5pm & 7pm in the Seasons Lounge. Also feel free to wash down those holiday treats with the Four Season’s Kahlua-inspired Ebenezer’s Eggnog ($13). So go on! Dress up with a little holiday flair and enjoy the finer things in life, well at least until December 25th.
Christmas Eve Church Service – 5 pm.
Join the many young people and young at heart for a wonderful Christmas Eve service from Park Community Church. The Christmas Eve service will take place at Brixen Ivy Community Center at 1242 W. Addison St. Check out more information at Park’s website.
Wednesday, December 25th – Christmas Day
Light Up A Life
If you can tear your family away from their new toys long enough to take a leisurely winter drive, you’ll get the chance to head on over to the Arlington Racetrack and enjoy the Winterland of Lights a 1.6 mile course featuring millions of lights with holiday themes. Your admission fee goes directly to Clearbrook, a non-profit Illinois human service agency whose goal is to illuminate the lives of adults and children affected by mental disabilities. The best part is that you can give back to the Illinois community 9 pm daily (10 pm on Fridays) until January 1, 2007. Admission is $10 a car.
Thursday December 26
Winter Wonderful
After the chaos of gift-giving has subsided make your way over to Navy Pier for Winter Wonderfest, where you can ice skate and enjoy inflatable games. If you have little ones, they’ll enjoy the Carousel Rides while you wander past the hundreds of decorated trees with your family and friends. Admission starts at $15. Open 10 am - 8 pm until January 6, 2008.
Friday, December 27th, 2007
Warm Up In The Jungle
If you’ve never seen Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy, now is the time to gaze upon high-flying aerialists, contortionists, and acrobats who leap out of what could be a Tarzan dream. Fly with them through this enchanted world of vines and strongmen at the Chicago Theater at 7:30 pm.
Provision Theater: CS Lewis on Stage
If you haven’t seen it, come for the first time, or even the second or third, to enjoy an intimate, hilarious, and engaging journey with the writer we’ve all read, but know almost nothing about. Provision Theater is proud to present the Jeff-recommended Chicago premiere of “CS Lewis On Stage” starring Bradley Armacost at the Royal George Theater (1641 N. Halsted). This one-man show capturing the personality and writing of the author of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and SCREWTAPE LETTERS, “CS Lewis On Stage” is an intimate look at the Oxford man who could make his audience think as deeply as he made them laugh. Order your holiday week or January tickets by calling 312.988.9000.
Lions and Tigers and Lights, Oh My!
It may be a jungle out there but at the Lincoln Park Zoo it’s a jungle, savannah, ocean, and forest. At Zoolights, spot your favorite zoo animals in this stunning visual display which will have you wild with excitement. This incredible visual menagerie can be seen from 5 pm-9 pm, Friday & Saturday until January 9, 2007.
Want to see some real animals? Roar with laughter at The Playground Theater when the sketch comedy group Koko turns us all into laughing hyenas. Show starts at 8 pm!
Sunday, December 29th, 2007
Jam Out With Andy
You never know who will stop in for a quick jam session at Andy’s Jazz Club. Jam sessions are a well-known tradition in Jazz music used to search for artistic expression in a casual, energetic environment. Andy’s Jazz session is a favorite hangout of professionals as well as newbies looking to break into the scene through this loose and exciting form of expression. For $5, you can kick back on a leisurely Sunday, enjoy Andy’s comfort-food packed menu and listen to this improvisational adventure in sound. Starts at 7:30 pm every Sunday night.
Celina: State Champions! December 23, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , 1 comment so farIn a hard fought battle, Celina high School won its eighth state championship. Charley Waldrep scored two touchdowns, including the game winner, as Celina defeated China Spring to win a record eighth state football title. Waldrep’s 3-yard run with 5:56 to play broke a 14-14 tie to give the Bobcats (16-0) the Class 3A Division II championship. Celina’s second state title in three years was its first since moving up to the 3A level.
My nephew, Josh Lavey (number 3 in photo below), made the defensive play of the year and preserved the victory by intercepting quarterback Dustin Eskew’s deflected pass after China Spring (14-2) had driven to the Celina 24-yard-line. “That was a big interception,” Head Coach Butch Ford said. “It was a tipped ball and Josh made a great play on it. I think he might remember that one for a while.”
The Cougars regained possession in the closing seconds but fumbled the ball away. Those were their only two turnovers. Celina’s eighth title broke a tie with Southlake Carroll, Plano and Brownwood for the most in Texas history. Here is a picture of my other nephew, sophomore Caleb Lavey (45) , closing in a tackle.
After the game, Herald-Democrat reporter Bill Spinks wrote:
As one door closes for the Bobcats, another one opens — one that may lead the way to more state titles in the future. If anyone thinks Celina is looking at a letdown after graduating 29 seniors this spring, think again. The 9-3A all-district football list is littered with Bobcat underclassmen who contributed in a big way, starting with the running back tandem of Charley Waldrep and McCartney, who combined for more than 2,800 rushing yards as juniors. Waldrep and McCartney will be joined in the backfield by Jose Romero, who despite being a freshman proved his worth in the goal-line offense and is also a primary pass target.
Defensively, Caleb Lavey has two more seasons left at middle linebacker, and brother Josh Lavey — whose interception at the Celina 9-yard line preserved the Bobcats’ lead with 2:52 remaining — and Austin Carey will be back for their senior years in the defensive secondary as well as junior-to-be Cody Worrell, who may compete with McCartney for the starting quarterback role. That doesn’t mean there won’t be holes to fill. The Bobcats will have to break in a new starting quarterback to take Davis’ place, as well as four offensive line positions, all four defensive line spots, the two outside linebackers, and the free safety spot being vacated by college-bound D’Anton Lynn.
But as the saying goes, they don’t rebuild at Celina — they reload. “We’re getting two more rings,” Caleb Lavey said. “Me and Cody Worrell, we got two more rings planned. Jose Romero might win three more.” One can never accuse Celina of setting the bar low.
Off to Dallas - Have a Great Christmas! December 21, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Family , add a commentEach year we rotate the Christmas/Thanksgiving holidays and this year we spent Thanksgiving in the mountains of North Carolina with Sue’s parents. Now we are headed out for Dallas (McKinney TX to be exact) to my parents and as a bonus, we get to see my nephews, Josh Lavey and Caleb Lavey, play for the Texas state football championship for their school, Celina, who is going for their eighth championship in their school’s history.
Have a wonderful Christmas and slow down a little and reflect on all the blessings that God has provided for you this year.
C.S. Lewis Extended into January! December 19, 2007
Posted by Steve in : The City, The Cultural Conversation, The Arts in the City, Provision Theater , add a commentDue to unprecedented demand, Provision Theater, headed up by Tim Gregory of Park, is extending performances of CS LEWIS ON STAGE into the new year. Bradley Armacost portrays legendary writer C.S. Lewis to critical and audience acclaim in the Royal George Theater Gallery Space (1641 N. Halsted) - now in an Open-Ended Run!
If you haven’t seen it, come for the first time, or even the second or third, to enjoy an intimate, hilarious, and engaging journey with the writer we’ve all read, but know almost nothing about. Provision Theater is proud to present the Chicago premiere of “CS Lewis On Stage” starring Bradley Armacost. This one-man show capturing the personality and writing of the author of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and SCREWTAPE LETTERS, “CS Lewis On Stage” is an intimate look at the Oxford man who could make his audience think as deeply as he made them laugh. Directed by Tim Gregory. Read the Chicago Critic review here. Order your holiday week or January tickets by calling 312.988.9000 or click here for tickets.
Special HOLIDAY WEEK Performance Schedule:
Wednesday, December 26 - 8 pm
Thursday, December 27 - 8 pm
Friday, December 28 - 8 pm
Saturday, December 29 - 5 pm and 8 pm
After you slow down and celebrate Christmas and the holidays with friends and family, gather your loved ones and spend a cozy evening enjoying the show the Chicago Sun-Times calls “the thinking person’s holiday show.”
Chicago Sun-Times:
“…performed with wit and fervency by Bradley Armacost…”
“…follows through on Provision’s mission to stage “works of hope, reconciliation and redemption.”
- Hedy Weiss
Chicago Tribune:
“…a piece directed with integrity by Provision artistic director Tim Gregory and performed with the expected charm and smarts by Armacost.”
“Armacost is one of the most genial, warm and generous of Chicago actors.”
- Chris Jones
Does it Require a Vote? December 14, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , add a comment
Did you know that yesterday, our Congress took time out of their budget and ideological battles to pass an extremely important bipartisan resolution yesterday — by a vote of 372-9 — which
“recognizes the Christian faith as one of the great religions of the world“;
proclaims that Christmas is “a holiday of great significance to Americans“;
decrees that “Christians and Christianity have contributed greatly to the development of western civilization“;
explains that “on December 25 of each calendar year, American Christians observe Christmas, the holiday celebrating the birth of their savior, Jesus Christ”;
and “expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world.”
Did we need to have a vote on that?
Gingerbread Train Day December 9, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , add a commentWhile I am still knocked pout by the flu, today was pencilled in as the day to build our annual gingerbread creation. So this year, it was a gingerbread train. This is one of our Christmas traditions that we love as we enjoy “Christmas in the City”. How do you think the kids did? (They all got lots of icing and candy so it was a big hit with them!).
Leave a comment as to what your favorite family traditions are.
Good Lessons for Dads December 7, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , add a commentGot an email from one of the guys in our small group, Brian B., about this resource fromm which I have been receiving (but not always reading) emails from for a while — All Pro Dad. He sent this Top Ten list to me and it is a good reminder for all dads as we enter the holidays and think of our new year resolutions.
1. Love Your Wife
True love is not a feeling. It is a decision. It’s an act of the will to be patient, kind, humble, hopeful, giving, faithful and trusting. When you commit to loving your wife this way, your feelings for her and hers for you will follow. Actively loving your wife will radically strengthen your marriage and will also be incredibly beneficial to your children. The number one source of security for kids is to know that their dad loves their mother and is steadfastly committed to her well-being.
2. Spend time with your children
How you spend your time reflects what’s important to you. If you value your kids, you’ll want to be with them and you don’t need to wait for the perfect time when you can take a vacation or an afternoon off from work. Instead, grab those small pockets of time as they present themselves throughout the day. Call your kids on your cell phone between appointments just to say “hi.” Send them an e-mail from work. Read to them at bedtime. Carve out a few minutes to help with homework. Go to breakfast and drop them off at school. Grab every moment you can get with your children.
Children’s Christmas Play December 6, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , add a commentAll the kids from are hard at work on their Christmas play and today they spent the day building the manger in Al and Deanna Wilson’s garage. Look at these proud future construction managers! (Click on photo for bigger version).
Mat Barber Kennedy: A Gift to Park December 4, 2007
Posted by Steve in : Weblog , add a commentFor the last few years, I have had the privilege of hanging out and getting to know Mat Barber Kennedy, a gifted artist in the Park body, who has made a living as a watercolorist both in the US and across the pond in England. Mat is an accomplished painter, a professor of arts, a excellent guitarist, a loving husband to Sherry and a cool dad.
As we have completed the PREPARING FOR MORE seaason, Mat has graciously painted a watercolor of the new building and its strategic position in the shadow of the skyline and has donated it to the church so that they could make it available to the body and generate funds for the new ministry center.
If you are interested in getting a copy, either in a signed limited edition print or a poster, please contact Tim Schraeder at tschraeder@parkcommunitychurch.org or 312.361.0519. If you would like to check out his other excellent work, please go to his website at matbarberkennedy.com
