Dear friends,
I realize that I’ve preached a lot about uncertainty recently, and it may start to sound like a broken record. But at the same time, it really does seem to be a recurring them these past many months and this week. This past Sunday, I tried to take a different perspective on the uncertainties - the things we cannot control or change - by focusing on the things we can control. My encouragement was to follow Christ’s calling on our lives to be salt and light in the world. Jesus gives us the agency and control over certain things and my hope is that we can each find the ways to choose to exercise our agency in a healthy and loving way.
One of the ways that you can exercise choice in your life is by participating in our 30 Days of Giving Thanks guided gratitude project. Choosing gratitude is a way that we can examine our lives and our surroundings and live into the hope of blessings around us. I hope you’ll find a way to do this. As we’ve suggested before, you can also engage all ages in this project. Each of the prompts is appropriate for children, youth, and adults. Perhaps you could have a time of family sharing around a mealtime? If you post on social media, you can type in #PCWSgivesthanks (that’s all you need to do is type that) when you post and others can see the posts … click here to see the gathering of posts on Facebook (you don’t need an account to see them).
If you haven’t had a chance to participate thus far, feel free to catch up from the past few days. You can visit our website where the prompts are listed. I hope you’ll join us!
Friends, as I write this note on Wednesday, it remains unclear when we’ll know the results of the Presidential election. For many of you this is an overwhelmingly anxious time. Please know that I’ve been taking time to pray for you, for us, for our country, and for the election and for peaceful and thorough results. I invite you to do the same. This Sunday we continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount by looking at the Lord’s Prayer. I think this is quite fitting and I’m hoping it will be helpful to us all in the midst of our current world.
I look forward to joining with you in worship on Sunday.
Peace,
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Erik
P.S. On Sunday, our Stewardship Elder, Mike Lobash, will be providing an update on 2020 pledges. It would be wonderful if you could submit your pledge, either electronically (by clicking here or emailing Mike at stewardship@presbyws.org) or by hand before Sunday. We will begin reaching out individually to follow-up in the coming week. Also, you should have received your third-quarter giving statement in the mail with your 2021 pledge card. If you have any questions or did not receive a giving statement, please reach out to our Financial Secretary, Patrick Rivers, at patrick@presbyws.org or by leaving him a voicemail at the office.
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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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Mid Day Prayers
Looking for calm in the middle of the day? Everyone is welcome to attend, Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, when it fits your schedule! These sessions take place over Zoom and you can click here for all the details.
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All Women are Invited!
Plan on attending, November 24, as we focus on ways to prepare for the holidays. Join Theresa Dixon and Sue Eck as they show us ways to prepare a joyous holiday setting while connecting with other women.
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Surviving the Holidays
We’d like to let you know about a two-hour GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays seminar. If you have suffered a loss, please consider attending or pass on the information to someone who may benefit by coming.
The seminar features practical suggestions and reassurance through video interviews with counselors, grief experts, and other people who have experienced the holidays after their loved one’s death. Topics to be discussed include dealing with hard-hitting emotions, what to do about traditions, how to survive social events, and where to find comfort and strength.
GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays will be held via Zoom and hosted by members of PCWS:
Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 pm or
Tuesday, December 8, 2:00 pm
Those who attend will receive a Survival Guide filled with practical tips, encouraging words, journaling ideas, and exercises for daily help through the holiday season.
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Gratitude is an important spiritual discipline— especially during challenging times. It reminds us to slow down and notice the blessings in our lives.
This November, we invite you to join us for 30 days of giving thanks! Daily prompts will be posted to Facebook and Instagram to inspire your journaling, prayer, meditation, doodling or photography. If you don’t use social media, you can also view the prompts on our webpage!
You can view all the posts, even if you don't use Social Media, by clicking on this link!
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Let's Fill the can and Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
Thanks to all who have accepted the challenge and 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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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
Betty Toft
Billye Dvorak
Bob LeMay, friend of Kay Kelly
Brent Young, son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
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
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
Julie Garino
Kathleen Kircher
Laura Gertsmeier
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Laura Querry, daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Laurie Merrifield
Marc Goldstein, friend of Carol Ulreich
Margaret and Don Swaar, aunt and uncle of Kay Kelly and Jill Dold
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
Mike Liccar and family, friends of Kay Kelly
Nate & Joann Dardick, friends of Laurie Merrifield
Nathan, friend of McMahon Family
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
Steve, friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner, aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore, friend of Mike Pelton
Theresa Ybanez, great niece of Laura Fruit
Parents of Tiffany Sellman
Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares
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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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11/5 Suzanne Mosher
11/7 Herb Habermann
11/8 Braden Slezak
11/8 Jackey Scheibelhut
11/9 Drew Hughes
11/9 Mary Jo Sindelar
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11/10 Carol Kohlsaat
11/11 Susan Salak
11/12 Paul Banovic
11/12 Erik Khoobyarian
11/13 Julie Kelly
11/13 Laurie Hovious-Petersen
11/15 Jane Melilli
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Thistle Farms Items On Sale!
We are offering all In-Stock Thistle Farms items for a discount - see the chart below for quantities. With all the hand washing we're doing, why not pick up some hand lotion?
8 oz Hand Soap, Hand Lotion, Body Wash: Regular $12.00
Now $10.00
2 oz Body Wash: Regular $6.50 Now $5.00
Please email Terri in the office (terri@presbyws.org) to order and make arrangements to pick up your items. You may pay by check or online by choosing Ministry Support - Other. It's never too early to think gift-giving!
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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.
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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Make a difference this holiday. Shop for gifts at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for Presbyterian Church Of Western Springs
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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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