Dear friends,
What a wonderful Sunday worship service we had this past week! If you missed it, I encourage you to check it out either on Facebook or on our Youtube page. We celebrated the culmination of our confirmation program as 7 young people were received as members. We also celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism with Alexis McClintock. Our newest members led us in worship and we heard an encouraging word from Pastor Lottie. Our musicians brought us ever-closer to God through their gifts and talents. A joyful day! Special thank you to our confirmands, their parents and families, and to Rogers Malone and his team of Amy Malone and Carolyn Bozek for their work with our young people for the last 15 months.
This type of celebration truly is the body of Christ living as God intended us to live. We find encouragement, but also we look toward the journey ahead. The next steps in our journey as individuals and as a church. And, friends, the journey ahead is a good one! This is part of what we celebrate during Advent - we recognize that we follow a God who invites us to follow even when it doesn’t feel certain. We follow a God who shows us a different way even when we can only see our present challenges. We follow a God who transforms us and who created us to be transformed. This is beautiful! This is Advent.
We’ve all grown tired of the words “different” or “uncertain” to describe our present times, but this really is going to be a different type of Christmas for all of us. As I’ve said before, I do think that in the midst of the differentness, we might also find something new - perhaps even something new that we’ll carry into future celebrations. Keep your eyes open for the opportunity of that something new.
As a reminder, this Sunday evening we’ll once again have our Longest Night Worship Service. This service will take place over Zoom (click here for the link or enter Meeting ID 810 5904 7707) and all are welcome. We’ll be blessed with beautiful music, encouraging words, and moments of silence during this season that can become filled with much noise. Take a moment for some peace and reflection and join us on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Finally, thank you to all of you who submitted photos with your candles and video greetings! While the deadline has passed, if you can get your greetings or photos in by the end of today, you’ll be included in our Christmas Eve service. Take a look at the graphics below for instructions!
See you on Sunday for our fourth Sunday of Advent worship service! After the postlude, please join us on Zoom for a Congregational Meeting called by the Session to act upon nominations of Elders and Deacons and proposed 2021 terms of call for Lottie and me. Click here for more information (and the link to join) and, again, please remain on Facebook Live until the postlude ends. We will allow time for you to join the meeting, so don’t feel the need to rush! We’ll have some fellowship after the meeting as well, so you can greet your friends!
Peace,
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Pastor Erik
P.S. I hope you’ve had a chance to stop by the church to read the signs with written greetings. There are about 60 so far! If you haven’t made one yet, you can still do so. And if you’re out of town, just send me a message and we’ll write it on the sign and place it with the others. Also, stop by the Advent Tree and write on one of the ornaments reflecting on your hopes, your longings for peace, and where you experience joy and love. You can read the reflections written by others as well.
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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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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
David Bebb Jones
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
Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
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Julie Garino
Kathleen Kircher
Laura Gertsmeier
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, 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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Earlier this week, PCWS member Betty Toft passed away. Click here to read Pastor Erik's announcement.
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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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12/16 Sandy Adams
12/17 Barb Vaughan
12/18 Hank Vaughan
12/19 Anna Weber
12/19 Ellie Tester
12/21 Maryna Hoskins
12/24 Alyssa Lombardi
12/25 John Adelphia
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12/26 Barb Farr
12/27 Mary Ellen Fencl
12/28 Erich Remiker
12/28 Howie Habenicht
12/30 Jeanie Smyers
12/30 Sue Kovalick
12/31 Zeke Tester
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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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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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