Dear friends,
Can you believe it? The year that has been 2020 is coming to a close tonight. It is hard to believe. Last year at the time I was sidelined with a friend of mine in Wyoming as Interstate 80 was closed due to blowing snow and frozen roads! Who knew that spending 3 nights in Rawlins, Wyoming would just be the start of a challenging year ahead.
In many ways, the changing of a year is somewhat arbitrary. Tomorrow will still bring with it the same circumstances as today. At the same time, though, it does provide an opportunity for us to reset our perspective. It feels like we’re going to have a fresh new start tomorrow and I like fresh new starts. As we head into the new year my prayer is that for each one of us we might experience something new in 2021 that helps us draw closer to God and have a freshness to our relationship with God. Be open to what opportunities may present themselves!
This Sunday, the Second Sunday of Christmas, we’ll also be celebrating Epiphany. As has been our practice the past couple of years, we’ll be distributing star words. Normally this would happen during worship, but we’ll be doing it right after worship as a drive-thru event. Enter on Lawn Avenue (the big parking lot) and come on through. We’ll have your star words and a kit for you to engage in the practice of chalking your door. I’ll talk about both of these during worship, so be sure to join us! Come on by anytime between about 10:30-11:30. Pastor Lottie will also have Sunday School materials for our elementary age students to pick up! (Sunday School will resume on January 10.)
If you live out of town or can’t come on Sunday, please email or call Terri in the office with the number of stars you need and we’ll mail them to you! They’ll also be available in the black box outside the office doors if you want to come by later.
Are you looking for a way to have a fresh start with a book discussion? Starting on January 14 the Early Risers will be starting a new book called Faith After Doubt. We’ll meet for seven weeks from 7-8 a.m. and one of the weeks we’ll be joined by the author, Brian McLaren. I’m really excited for this brand new book and for our discussion. Let me know if you’d like a copy of the book (for those participating in the group the book is available at a discounted price of $15). I expect to have the books by Friday, January 8.
Thank you to everyone who helped support our Alternative Giving Online Fair! There's a great article down below in this email and I encourage you to read about the significant impact your contributions enabled us to have in the local and global community. Thank you to our Mission Committee, and especially Janet Andersen and Kathy Wennerstrum for their coordination of this project and Michelle Hennessy and Patrick Rivers who provided logistical support.
Finally, I want to say another word of gratitude to our musicians and Stephanie Coates for all of the work they put into recording music for our Christmas Eve service. I have heard so many words of gratitude for the service and it would not have been possible without the shared talents of so many people. Thank you for lending your gifts to glorify God in worship!
See you Sunday morning online and then after church for our Epiphany Drive-Thru!
Peace,
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Pastor Erik
P.S. If you’d like to return your candle holders (please keep the candle!) from Christmas Eve, please leave them in the black box outside the church office or bring them on Sunday at the drive-thru.
P.P.S. Today is the last day to make financial contributions to appear on your 2020 giving record. Feel free to stop by and drop off your contributions in the church mailbox. Thank you for your continued support of our ministries in 2020!
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Watch our Worship Services Live
Sunday morning @ 9:30 a.m.
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No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS! |
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Let's Fill the can and Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
Thanks to all who have helped to fill the baskets for the food pantry at 2nd Baptist Church in LaGrange! Our regular Monday morning delivery has helped to make a greater impact on the community that 2nd Baptist serves. Please continue to remember our neighbors who struggle with hunger and, as you are doing your grocery shopping, consider adding a couple extra items for the pantry. Food items can be dropped off Sunday mornings or any time during the week in the can near the entrance from the parking lot.
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Mission Update
Hats & Mittens:
We received an amazing 284 NEW winter hats, mittens/gloves and scarves to provide to clients of Sharing Connection and residents of Margaret's Village. Both organizations received your warm winter items with much gladness and heartfelt thanks. The need is great and you really helped! THANK YOU!!!
Alternative Giving Fair:
Donation through the online Alternative fair this year allowed us to support four organizations:
Pine Avenue Food Pantry received a check for $1,000. This will be used to restock the pantry as they begin food distributions in 2021. THis pantry is a much needed gift in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago's west side that has much food insecurity.
Nueva Paz Church in Cuba received $610. This will be used to help them in restoring their Manse.
Margaret's Village received 50 Walmart gift cards that will be used by residents for gifts for children, helping secure needed items for families moving to an apartment or helping provide basic needs for an individual arriving at the shelter with nothing.
Heifer Project received a check for $1,410 to support their ministry. With this gift they can help strengthen families and communities around the world
Your generosity has shown through in so many ways during 2020! Filling the food can each week to help the local food pantry, donating books and funds for the Summer Mission Project and now reaching out to help people near and far in the season of Advent.
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Our siblings at Nueva Paz Presbyterian Church in Cuba
Our men & women serving our country in the Armed Services
The people of Syria, and especially the relatives of PCWS’ Interfaith Women’s Book Group
First responders, nurses, doctors, and others providing care to others
Ann, friend of Joyce & Herb Smyers
Betty Anderson
Bob LeMay, friend of Kay Kelly
Brent Young, son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Caryle Aitken Wilkie
Don Heizer, friend of the McMahons
Family and friends of Wayne Filar, Candice Mares’ cousin
George Bruser, uncle of Donna Kanak & Diane Bonner
Holly Oliver, daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez, friend of the Merrifield family
Jan Fortina
Jessie DeFano, niece of Michelle Hennessy
John Kregg
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Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
Julie Garino
Laura Querry, daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Marc Goldstein, friend of Carol Ulreich
Mary Jo Blough
Mary Jo Long
Mary Kate Miller, step-mother of Julie Garino
Mary, dear friend of Bruce Geary
Michael De Vries
Michael, friend of Jane Norman
Nate & Joann Dardick, friends of Laurie Merrifield
Norb Mirlenbrink, Uncle of Lori Carsten
Pat McTiernan, friend of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Pat White, friend of Becky Glasscock
Paulette Erickson, friend of Carol Ulreich
Peggy Mirlenbrink, aunt of Lori Carsten
Peter Wilkie
Phil Kasik
Ruth Kaduke, niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Shannon Cavanaugh, niece of Phyllis DiFrancesco
Steve Coates, husband of Stephanie Coates
Steve, friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner, aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore, friend of Mike Pelton
Parents of Tiffany Sellman
Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares
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Please keep in your prayers the family and friends of PCWS member Kathleen Kircher who recently passed away. |
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Stephen Ministers Are Available
We are a congregation that prays with one another and for one another. You are encouraged to pray for the concerns on this prayer list even though you may not know the details. Our Stephen Ministers are praying as well. If you would like to have a Stephen Minister pray for you or with you (over the telephone, FaceTime or ZOOM), please reach out to Joyce Rodos, the Stephen Ministry leader.
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12/31 Zeke Tester
1/02 Donna Leslie
1/02 Linda Freymann
1/03 Michelle Hennessy
1/04 Olivia Mansfield
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1/5 Andrea Claeys
1/6 Stacie Wilson
1/7 Lance Smith
1/7 Lori Carsten
1/10 Herb Smyers
1/10 Jon Gertsmeier
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Online Giving
During this time of virtual worship all are invited to continue supporting the mission and ministry of PCWS by:
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Dropping off or mailing your contributions directly to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558, or
- Donating online - click the button below.
Did you know you can use our giving site to set-up recurring or one-time payments (there's no fee when you use your checking or savings account.) Since we’re not gathering in-person, this would be a good time to set-up electronic payments. Please contact our Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers, with any questions or for instructions for setting up payments through your bank.
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Thank you for your ongoing support of our ministries, particularly during this uncertain time. |
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PCWS Office Closed
The PCWS office remains closed for the immediate future. Our office staff are still working remotely and on a limited basis. If you need immediate assistance, please email Pastor Erik or leave a message for him on his church extension which he checks regularly, or call his cell. Staff is checking the U.S. Mail daily. The mailbox is a locking box, so please feel comfortable dropping off correspondence directly (including contributions).
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more information.
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