Dear friends,
This past Sunday, Pastor Lottie started off our new sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) with a powerful sermon on the Beatitudes. She reminded each one of us that God calls us blessed. God calls you blessed! If you haven’t had a chance to listen, I encourage you to do so (click here for our sermon podcast page). This Sunday, and for the following four Sundays, our sermons will continue through these important teachings of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. I hope you’ll join us for worship!
For the past several weeks I’ve been encouraging you to find ways to get connected and grow with others. A couple upcoming opportunities ... This Sunday will be our second of four sessions discussing the Soul of Wine and you’re welcome to join us! Books and wine glasses are available and you can call the office today or tomorrow if you’d like to pick one up. Also, this Tuesday night, the Finding Your Own Oasis women’s gathering will meet and learn from Carolyn Bozek and Laurie Merrifield about their practices with art. Read more below, and join them this coming week!
Finally, I wanted to highlight something important that has started recently. On Sunday mornings, all are welcome to join with others to pray for our church, for folks as they are making their way to worship, for technology to work, and for the concerns of our community. You are invited! Our Stephen Ministry team is hosting the prayers starting at 9:00 a.m. (the link is below). I hope you’ll give this a try. (And you don’t have to pray out loud if you don’t want to!)
Friends, be connected with one another - in our connections with one another we grow closer to God. See you on Sunday for worship and for fellowship after!
Peace,
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Erik
P.S. - Have you signed up for the virtual CROP Walk for hunger? See below for more information, but this year the walk is going virtual. All you have to do is sign-up for our team and take a walk! Share about it with others and collect donations to help reduce hunger in our world.
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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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Fellowship Hour This Sunday
Join us this Sunday after worship over Zoom for fellowship. Click the image to join on your laptop, phone or iPad:
Meeting ID: 813 0427 8703
Passcode: 531296
Or join by telephone: 312-626-6799 and enter Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.
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Mid Day Prayers
We continue to offer Mid Day Prayers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon. All are welcome to attend when it fits your schedule! These sessions take place over Zoom and you can click here for more details and connection information.
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Women's Discussion Group
Next Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 pm
The October Oasis will focus on connecting with others using cards or notes.
Do you like sending cards, creating designs and/or writing inspirational notes? Do you wish you were more creative, knew effective coloring techniques, and/or had supplies to use for stylish lettering?
Join Carolyn Bozek as she shows us her ‘Happy cards’ and Laurie Merrifield who will guide us to create a 'Doodle card.' Supply packets are available, while they last, and can be requested by emailing Mindy McMahon. Packets can be picked up at PCWS.
Participants are also requested to bring crayons or colored pencils, Elmer’s Glue or white craft glue, paper or light card stock and/or samples of your creations to share so we can also hear about your techniques.
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PCWS Book Group
Next Monday, October 26, 7:00 p.m.
October 2020: Everything I Never Told You – Celeste Ng
“Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.” So begins this exquisite novel about a Chinese American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee, and her parents are determined that she will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue. But when Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together is destroyed, tumbling them into chaos. A profoundly moving story of family, secrets, and longing.
For more info on the Book Club, and for the Zoom info, click here!
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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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2020 CROP WALK
No one should go hungry! This year, however, has left many families uncertain about how they'll get their next meal. That's where the CROP Walk - and you - can help!
The CROP Hunger Walk supports healthy food in our community and around the world. Every donation, each person or team who walks matters now more than ever. Together, we can help end hunger.
The CROP walk website has information about a physical walk that can be done by an individual, a family, or a safe "pod". The walk can take place in any neighborhood between October 16th and Oct. 23rd. You can find information to register for the walk and make donations to help support CROP at: crophungerwalk.org/lagrangeil.
You may participate as a walker, if you'd like, or make a donation as the need is especially important this year! Feel free to share this information and the CROP walk website with family, friends, and neighbors. Let them know this year online donations are the best way to show their support.
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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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10/23 Luke Gertsmeier
10/23 Shannon Sullivan
10/24 Paul Cloutier
10/25 Adam Rodos
10/25 Laura Hepburn
10/26 Laurie Merrifield
10/27 Larry Randa
10/29 Matt Haeske
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10/30 Bruce Geary
11/1 Matt Kovalick
11/1 Olivia Mezan
11/2 Lindsey Allen
11/3 Barbara Van Cura
11/3 Debbie Randa
11/3 James Van Camp
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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.
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 dropping off or mailing your contributions directly to our church office at 5250 Wolf Road, Western Springs, IL 60558 or by donating online.
Have you ever considered using online tools as a way to manage your contributions to PCWS? 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 each week, this would be a good time to get yourself set-up with electronic payments. Please contact our Financial Secretary Patrick Rivers, with any questions or instructions for setting up payments through your bank.
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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