'Hope' is theme of Buffalo Grove area's 16th interfaith service

Shopping lists and cooking were left on the back burner Sunday night, as 750 people sought spiritual refreshment at the 16th annual Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council Thanksgiving Service.

Hosted this year by Hope Lutheran Church in Long Grove and Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove, the service was held at Temple Chai because the Long Grove temple is large enough to accommodate all those who want to participate.

Participating congregations included: Congregations Beth Am, Beth Judea, and B'nai Shalom; Temple Chai, Hope Lutheran Church, Kingswood United Methodist Church, Living Christ Lutheran Church and St. Mary Parish.

In his clergy reflections, Rabbi Howard Lifshitz of Congregation Beth Judea, said, "The ability to hope is powerful; it gives direction to our lives."

But, hope, he pointed out, is different than mere optimism.

"It's more important and more powerful," Lifshitz said. "It is a call to action, demanding involvement and a commitment to change."

He noted that in spite of life's setbacks, all people of different faiths can be agents for change in making the world a better place.

The Rev. Mike McPherson, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church, echoed the same message.

"Can you imagine a world or our personal lives without hope?" he said. "Where is our beautiful broken world headed? I often think about my children and grandchildren. It would be too easy to stop believing and hoping, but we must not lose hope."

Throughout the service, in song, instrumental music and in spoken words, the same messages rang out loud and clear. This was to be a Thanksgiving of hope for America and the world; this was to be a Thanksgiving of praise from all worshippers. Hope Lutheran's Praise Team singers, four strong women's voice, set the pace.

Though the programmers requested no applause, most people didn't sit on their hands during the presentation, "God's Love," by the Glory Fingers Puppets. Kids and parents cheered the life-size, multi-ethnic puppets, under the direction of Sheri Brubeck of Kingswood Methodist Church.

Under the experienced leadership of Diane Popper and her Northwest Suburban Interfaith Council committee, the service came together to inspire and start the holiday season with respect for others and hope for the world.

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PHOTO COURTESY BARB HEINRICH

The Hope Lutheran Praise Team, from left, Lin DeClark, Buffalo Grove; Vicki Collins, Kildeer; Linda Poe, Mundelein and Juanita Wundsra, Palatine. They were accompanied by Diana Schmid of East Dundee on flute and Rich Lulik of Tower Lakes on guitar.