The Art of Parables
Have you ever seen a movie, heard a sermon, or even read a book and found yourself wondering... "what was that about?"
Jesus' stories we call parables are almost intentionally told in a way that makes them difficult to pin down to one meaning. At best, how we interpret the stories says a lot about us. At its worst, though, some of these stories have been given simplistic explanations that have been used to harm others.
This week's story is one of those that defies easy explanations. A murderous king invites people to a wedding party only to kill them and their whole cities when they refuse. A person shows up to the king's party completely unaware that it's a costume party, and he's beaten up and thrown out. What in the world could a story like this say about us... or more importantly, what could it say about God?
This Sunday, I'll lead us through this Biblical story of a king and a wedding feast. I can't promise that it'll be your favorite story ever. What I can say is that it has a lot to say about us and maybe even a little about the unrelenting grace of God.
See you Sunday!
Jesus' stories we call parables are almost intentionally told in a way that makes them difficult to pin down to one meaning. At best, how we interpret the stories says a lot about us. At its worst, though, some of these stories have been given simplistic explanations that have been used to harm others.
This week's story is one of those that defies easy explanations. A murderous king invites people to a wedding party only to kill them and their whole cities when they refuse. A person shows up to the king's party completely unaware that it's a costume party, and he's beaten up and thrown out. What in the world could a story like this say about us... or more importantly, what could it say about God?
This Sunday, I'll lead us through this Biblical story of a king and a wedding feast. I can't promise that it'll be your favorite story ever. What I can say is that it has a lot to say about us and maybe even a little about the unrelenting grace of God.
See you Sunday!
Worship 10am
In person or online at the links below (Facebook or YouTube)
.
To register, call the church office of email us at office@firstumclombard.org
Pillow Day
Yes, we have no pillows, we have no pillows today! You can help change that ! Join us Saturday, October 17th at 9:00 am. We have moved back upstairs so it
is easier to get to the task at hand. You can touch the lives of hundreds of people who need our love and support! Remember, you can sew, cut stuff or snip. This task was made just for you! Questions, call Carol W. 630-373-6054.
Men's Fellowship Annual Potato Drop
The Men's Fellowship will be picking up potatoes on Saturday, October 17th for the annual Potato Drop. We will be leaving from The Outreach House, 700 Springer Dr at 7:30am. Please contract Steve F. at 630-336-3340 for further information.
Our All Saints service will be held Sunday, November 1st. During this service, we lift up those who have gone before us in this past year so that we may remember and celebrate their presence as saints among us. If you would like to submit a name for us to read aloud during this service, please please send that to us along with a photo (if possible) and their relation to you.
Lombard Christmas Mart - Saturday, Nov. 7th
Join folks from across Lombard as they visit vendors set up in our lower level Fellowship Hall. Use the Main Street entrance or go down the stairs. You'll be able to find all kinds of Christmas gift and craft items for sale. Our United Women in Faith are hosting!
Wanted: Gently used holiday decor for the upcoming Holiday Mart!! Items can be dropped off in the parlor on THIS Saturday, October 10th from 9:30 am to 10:00am. Thank you!
Feed My Starving Children at the upcoming
Hope for the Hungry MobilePack in Villa Park, IL.
Saturday, November 20, 2026
8–10 a.m. | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | 2–4 p.m.
Willowbrook High School
1250 Ardmore Avenue
Villa Park, IL
Villa Park, IL
Volunteers will work together to pack nutritious meals that will be shipped around the world to hungry children. It’s a powerful, family-friendly experience where every person truly makes a difference.
I would love for you to join us and be part of this life changing work. Register now.
Thank you for your continued generosity and all you do to feed kids and empower communities.
Results of Name Survey
Hope United Methodist Church.
That’s the selection that received the most votes in our latest survey. We asked for your feedback on what our church’s name should be, and that was the selection that received the most support. This means that at our 7pm November 3rd Church Conference, we will be voting yes or no to officially change our church’s name to Hope United Methodist Church. All members are invited to be present!
We’ve received a few questions.
1. Will this change cost anything? We have received a ballpark quote to redo our sign outside and to reprint some stationary. The estimates have come in at about $1000-$1500 in total. This is just about double our normal advertising budget.
2. If we cannot make the Church Conference, can we still vote? That is not a possibility at this time. Our guide for United Methodist life, the Book of Discipline,
in paragraph 246.6 says that members present and voting constitute a quorum. Previous bishops have issued guidance around that language that indicates present means being physically present at the meeting.
3. Why are we considering a name change? There are two reasons for this. First - we are a different congregation because of our merger two years ago. It was at that merger that we said a name change would take place so that all persons would enter this agreement on equal footing.
Secondly, there is Biblical precedent for this. For me, the Bible helps me understand and make sense of the world. I see people being renamed after major life events. Abram and Sarai, two of those called the ancestors of faith, became Abraham and Sarah after they ventured out in faith. Simon, one of the twelve apostles, became known as Peter (the rock) after he confessed Jesus is the Christ. Saul, a man who was responsible for the murder of one early Christian, became Paul after Jesus met him and asked, “why do you persecute ME?” For each of them, those names became a way to respond to the call of God on their lives, a call that invited them to a deeper change that their name reflected.
Changing a name is no small decision. I am grateful for all who have weighed in and let their preference be known.
I also continue to invite your feedback at pastormichael@firstumclombard.org
Thank you.
Church Conference - November 3rd at 7pm
Join us for our annual meeting that we call our Church Conference. This is where we will vote on our reports, leadership, and direction for the next year. Join us!
Week at a Glance
Saturday, October 10th
8:30am Men's Fellowship9:30am United Women in Faith
Sunday, October 11th
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
10:00am Children's Education
11:00am Coffee&
11:00am Sermon Chats
Slides: Becky Sound: Tom
Liturgist: Amy M.
Acolyte: Frankie & Miller
Coffee&: SPRC
Ushers: Bob F. & Ron L.
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
10:00am Children's Education
11:00am Coffee&
11:00am Sermon Chats
Slides: Becky Sound: Tom
Liturgist: Amy M.
Acolyte: Frankie & Miller
Coffee&: SPRC
Ushers: Bob F. & Ron L.
9:00am Sewing Ministry
Thursday, October 15th
9:00am Prayer Group
1:00pm Women's Bible Study (zoom)
5:00pm Endowment
6:15pm Fusion
Saturday, October 17th
7:30am Men's Fellowship Annual Potato Drop
9:00am Pillow Day
8:00am – 1:00pm Craft DeStash Sale(Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, October 18th
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
10:00am Children's Education
11:00am Coffee&
Slides: Martha Sound: Steve
Liturgist:
Acolyte: Zach & Maddie
Coffee&: United Women in Faith
Ushers: Carol F. & Phyllis C.
Join us for Prayer Group Thursdays at 9am
All are welcome to attend our prayer group dedicated to praying for our congregation, community and world needs will meet every Thursday morning at 9am in the church chapel at FUMC.
Women's Bible Study
The group meets on Thursdays from 1:00pm - 2:30 pm via Zoom. The first half hour is an informal time to visit with one another. The next hour is our study session.
Any woman is welcome to join the group! Email Linda Nystrom (nystrom8@comcast.net) with your name and email address and you will be added to the group!
Card Ministry
Check out the card rack in the back of the sanctuary. Cards are available for $2 each or $3 for 2. All proceeds go to Kids Above All! Thank you for supporting the Card Ministry! Watch for new fall dates!
Sewing Ministry Update
You may remember that we were collecting money to buy pillows on line and have them delivered directly to the mission. Again your generosity has proven to be a big help to others. Monday morning sewing ministry from 9-12. All are welcome!
Help us Serve Coffee&
Could you bring a tasty treat for us to enjoy after church? Your contribution could help us enjoy this time of connection and fellowship. Sign up below!
Coffee & Sign-up
The person usually brings items for us to enjoy after worship
Sunday, Ocober 25th
Sunday, November 1st
Sunday, November 29th
Sunday, December 6th
Sign Up to be a Liturgist
A liturgist stands up front and leads us all as we say our call to worship, opening prayer, and scripture. Sign up below!
Liturgist Sign Up
Liturgist for Sunday, November 1st
Liturgist for Sunday, November 8th
Liturgist for Sunday, November 29th
Liturgist for Sunday, December 6th
Online Suggestion Box for Trustees
Is something broken? Can we fix or clean an area? Send us a suggestion!
email: Trustees@firstumclombard.org
Become an Acolyte
Acolytes bring in the light of Christ each Sunday morning, reminding us that Christ's light is always with us. Children are accompanied by an adult to help them as they perform this essential part of worship. To sign up your child or loved one, click this link to email Pam Lohman.
Pray for those who are healing: Mary H.(internal bleeding); Angela A.; Dick K.; Shelly Y.(kidney surgery); Alice W. (Myasthenia Gravis); Zachery C.(extensive burns); Carol W.(chemo); Glenn B.(transplant complications); Christine M; Ray Johnson.
Pray for those mourning: The Family of John Srutowski; The Family of Fred Cotterell.
Prayers for our world: Iran, Palestine, Israel, the Middle East, Nepal, and Tibet.