NL_061319

16 | June 13, 2019 | the new lenox patriot faith
newlenoxpatriot.com
Pastor column
Reflect on ‘watershed’ moments
Jim McGuire
Joliet Area Community Hospice
Have you ever
stopped to
consider the
“watershed” moments in
your life? Those turning
points of great personal
significance. For someone
it may be the day you
received your driver’s
license. Perhaps for
someone else it was the
day you were accepted
into the school of your
dreams, or the day you
pledged your life in marriage.
Certainly welcoming
a newborn baby into
the family is a watershed
moment. We have all
experienced at least one
watershed moment.
March 29, 2019 was
a watershed day for me
as I published my first
book, STAY: Four Pillars
for Living Life and
Finishing Well. I released
it in ebook and paperback
through Amazon.
The book is a memoir
detailing my 19 years as
a chaplain with the local
hospice. Throughout the
book, I use anecdotal
stories of some of the
wonderful people I have
met.
The release of the book
was the culmination of
three years of writing,
research and reflection.
There were several
critical moments in the
process. The first being
the night I sat down at
the kitchen table with an
iPad, keyboard and numerous
random thoughts
and began to type.
Another pivotal moment
came when I watched a
video tutorial and the presenter
said, “No one cares
about the book you never
finished.” In that moment,
it was like a kick
in the pants. I knew right
then that I either needed
to finish the book or stop
thinking about it.
Hiring a professional
managing editor was another
one of these important
moments in moving
the book from concept
to completion. The editor’s
input and expertise
helped make for a more
enjoyable read. Her work
was invaluable.
When we think about
these watershed moments
in our lives, they are usually
the culmination of
dedication, hard work and
perseverance. There are
times when we experience
such life-changing
events with little or no
input; however, most of
the memorable moments
in our lives come about
as the result of the many
small decisions we make
along the way.
It’s okay to, “Wish
upon a star,” so long as
you don’t spend your entire
life gazing into space.
Watershed moments often
come after you and I have
made the commitment to
put in the work.
So what is it that you
are working toward
today? Do you want the
ball in your hand as the
clock is winding down
and the score is tied?
Then practice, practice,
practice. Do you want to
make the Honor Roll at
school? Then you may
need to spend less time
goofing off and more time
studying. Are you looking
for significant and meaningful
relationships? Then
work on being your best
self today and everyday.
I am pleased to write
that the book has been
well received. I continue
to learn throughout this
process, such is life.
While we reflect upon the
watershed events in our
life, we do not remain in
that moment in time. Life
moves on, as it should.
So let’s move forward,
anticipating that there
will come additional watershed
moments, making
good decisions each and
everyday. Here’s to a life
well lived.
I can be contacted at
jtmcguire63@gmail.
com if you would like to
purchase a signed copy of
the book, STAY: Four Pillars
for Living Life and
Finishing Well or you can
find it at Amazon.com.
The thoughts and opinions
expressed in this column are
those of the author. They do
not necessarily represent the
thoughts of 22nd Century
Media or its staff.
Visit us online at
newlenoxpatriot.com
FAITH BRIEFS
Revolution Church (24520 South U.S.
Highway 52, Manhattan)
More Faith Less Fret Study
6:30 p.m. Mondays.
Held at the house of a
parishioner. Contact the
church for more information
at (815) 418-6555.
Mass
10 a.m. Sundays,
United Methodist Church of New Lenox
(339 W. Haven Ave, New Lenox)
Worship Schedule
Traditional worship is
at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Sundays.
St. Jude Catholic Church (241 W. Second
Ave., New Lenox)
MOMS Monthly Meeting
9:30- 11:30 a.m. first
Thursday of the month.
St. Jude Franciscan Hall
Room 3 and 4, 241 W.
Second Ave, New Lenox.
Eucharistic Adoration
8 a.m.- 5 p.m. first Friday
of the month.
Lincoln-Way Christian Church (690 E.
Illinois Highway, New Lenox)
Worship Services
9 and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
HERO Family Support
Group
7-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday.
This group is open
to anyone with a family
member currently struggling
with addiction, suspected
addiction, or currently
in recovery. Family
support meetings provide
helpful tools and information
to better equip people
to help their loved ones
through their struggle.
This group provides a
supportive environment
with others who have
had similar experiences
and an opportunity to
meet and network with
others.
Central Presbyterian Church (1101 S.
Gougar Road, New Lenox)
Church Service
10:30 Sundays. For
more information, call
the church at (815) 485-
5152.
Trinity Lutheran Church (508 N. Cedar
Road, New Lenox)
Worship
5 p.m. Saturday and 9
a.m. Sunday
Vacation Bible School
Miraculous Mission,
June 17-21, 9:30 a.m.-
noon. Cost $5 per student.
To register, go to trini
tynewlenox.org
Christ Mission Church (22811 S. Cedar
Road, New Lenox)
Celebrate Recovery
7-9 p.m. every Tuesday.
For anyone struggling
with hurts, habits, or
hang-ups. For more information,
call Deb at (708)
516-6318.
St. John Orthodox Chapel (112 Church
Street, New Lenox)
A Discussion Group on
How to be a Sinner
Meets every Wednesday
at 7:30 p.m. For more
information visit saint
johnofchicago.com or call
(630) 638-9462
New Life Church (500 Gougar Road, New
Lenox)
Worship Services
10 a.m. Sundays. For
more information, call
(815) 462-0202.
The Hub (1303 S. Schoolhouse Road,
New Lenox)
The Center Youth Group
6:30-9 p.m. every
Thursday. Teens ages 12-
19 are welcome. The night
features live music, an
open gym, an encouraging
message and a chance
to meet new friends. For
more information, call
(815) 717-8002.
Cherry Hill Church of Christ (2749
Lancaster Drive, Joliet)
Bible Study
9:30 a.m. Sundays.
Grace Episcopal Church (209 N. Pine St.,
New Lenox)
Saturday Service
5 p.m. the first, third
and fifth Saturday of each
month.
Cornerstone Church (1501 S. Gougar
Road)
Worship Service
8:30 a.m. and 10:45
a.m. every Sunday.
Parkview Christian Church (2121 S.
Schoolhouse Road, New Lenox)
Worship Services
4 p.m. Saturdays; 8:30
a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30
a.m. Sundays.
Peace Lutheran Church (1900 E. Lincoln
Highway, New Lenox)
A Man in Recovery
7-8:30 p.m. Every
Tuesday. This recovery
group is for those who are
struggling with addiction
or those who love someone
struggling. For more
information, call Tom at
(815) 354-3195.
Bible Study
10 a.m. Every Wednesday.
For more information,
call (815) 485-5327.
The Journey Church (14414 W. Ford
Drive, New Lenox)
Worship Service
10 a.m. Sundays.
Reverberate Youth Group
1-3 p.m. Every first
Sunday of the month.
The group meets to discuss
a message geared
toward junior and senior
high school students. For
more information, email
youth@ourjourney.cc.
Have something for Faith
Briefs? Contact Editor
Sean Hastings at sean@
newlenoxpatriot.com or call
(708) 326-9170 ext. 48. Information
is due by noon on
Thursdays one week prior to
publication.