Welcome to Holy Week!
For the church, this week leading to Easter has been one of the most, well, “holy” of weeks. But for most of us, our typical Holy Week experience is probably more of a normal week than a week set apart to focus on Christ’s suffering and death. I talked to one person this week who said “I don’t really do Good Friday … I’m more of an Easter person.” I get it! It feels much better to shout “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday and then jump ahead to full-blown celebration on Easter.
Saint Augustine spoke into this feeling in one of my favorite quotes of his:
"The death of the Lord our God should not be a cause of shame for us; rather, it should be our greatest hope, our greatest glory. In taking upon himself the death that he found in us, he has most faithfully promised to give us life in him, such as we cannot have of ourselves."
This year, while so much is different in our lives, I want to encourage you to lean into Holy Week and seek to find that greatest hope and greatest glory. There are several ways you can do this, and I’d like to give you few ideas:
Many of you purchased the book
Entering the Passion of Jesus
by Amy-Jill Levine. If you didn’t buy one, I have a few copies left and I can leave one for you outside the church office for you to pick up (email me if you would like a copy) or you can purchase an electronic version online. This is a great introduction to Holy Week and you can read a little bit each day. The author has a wonderful video series that I was hoping to share with you all during out adult education sessions, but (only)
the first video is available online here
. Watch it and then read the rest of the book this week.
Even if you’re not reading the book, I think you’ll enjoy the short video.
Second,
join us for midday prayer this week
. I will have some special Holy Week reflections and prayer exercises. Feel free to join us whenever you’re able - the link to more information is below.
Another option is to
read scripture following Jesus through Holy Week
(you don’t have to follow this schedule, but these are some suggestions):
Today:
Luke 19:45-20:8
(read about what happens after the Palm Sunday procession as Jesus enters the Temple)
Finally,
I hope you’ll join us for our Maundy Thursday worship service.
We’ll start at 7 p.m. on Zoom. If you haven’t had a chance to use Zoom yet, this would be a great time.
Please reach out if you’d like some help getting connected in this way.
There’s more information below about Maundy Thursday, but we’ll be celebrating the Lord’s Supper together during the service. I’d also encourage you to have a candle (or a few) for the service. Also, in our PCWS tradition, we’ve gathered for a shared feast before the service. I would encourage you to connect with others (maybe over the phone or using other technology) and share a meal "virtually" before joining the Zoom call at 7.
The Saturday email will include a special reflection for Holy Saturday and the very simple details (and links) for Easter at PCWS. You are invited to join me at 6 a.m. on Facebook Live for a condensed Easter Vigil and then at 9:30 a.m. for our Easter Worship Service.
Know that you are in my prayers as we journey together toward the empty tomb of Easter. I pray that we will each have new encounters with Christ in this week and that in the midst of uncertainty and fear, we would also find the promise of new life in Jesus and the hope of a God who loves us deeply.
Peace,
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P.S., As always, please do reach out with any concerns or needs you might have. I continue to have volunteers reach out to help with grocery store and other errands, so if you have need or are in a demographic that should not be going out, please, please let us help.
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The live feed begins about 9:25 a.m. and the prelude will begin at a few minutes before 9:30. I encourage you to grab a cup of coffee, light a candle or two, gather your family, and enjoy our time of worship. The weekly bulletin will be available on the PCWS website.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
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No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS!
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The Maundy Thursday Bulletin will be available on the
Updates page
on our website Thursday afternoon.
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Let’s Fill the Can!
During Lent it was our plan to increase our contributions to the Second Baptist Church of La Grange food pantry.
Your response has been amazing! We've made two deliveries - let's keep it up.
Please come by and do a “drive by” drop-off and give a short "honk" to say hello!
Click here
for a fun video announcement. Let’s fill the can!
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Note: this week, due to Maundy Thursday,
there will be NO Story Time with Pastor Erik & Friends this Thursday night.
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During Lent the children of the church have been collecting money in their fish-box banks for One Great Hour of Sharing. For decades, churches, including ours, have collected funds on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday to contribute to OGHS. Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (which has been responding to COVID-19 needs). You can learn more about the offering by
clicking here
. You can donate online by
clicking here
and selecting One Great Hour of Sharing under
Special Offerings
. You can also drop your contribution by the locked mailbox at the church or mail it in. Help us continue to make a difference with your contribution to this special offering!
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Online Giving
Have you ever considered using online tools as a way to manage your contributions to PCWS? You can have your bank send contributions directly to PCWS or you can use our giving site to set-up recurring or one-time payments (there's no additional 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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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
Betty Toft
Betty Anderson
Billye Dvorak
Brent Young,
son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Brian, f
riend of the Smyers family
Cheryl Donchez,
friend of Theresa & Condy Dixon
David DeFrance,
nephew of Becky & Larry Glasscock
Dorcas Dvorak,
friend of the Merrifield family
Elsie Anderson,
mother of Michelle
Hennessy
Gary Mirlenbrink,
uncle of Lori Carsten
Holly Oliver,
daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez,
friend of the Merrifield family
Jessica DeFano
, niece of Michelle Hennessy
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn,
grandson of Shirley Pine
Kathleen Kircher
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Laura Querry,
daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Linda Bell,
daughter of Margot Walsh
Marc Goldstein,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Marc Ladene,
friend of the Slezaks
Marge Sandrik
Mary Kate Miller,
step-mother of Julie Garino
Mary,
dear friend of Bruce Geary
Matthew, Dorothy, and Children,
friends of the McMahon's
Michael De Vries
Michael,
friend of Jane Norman
Mike Slesicki,
cousin of Barb Farr & Joe Benson
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
Paul,
cousin of Elizabeth Slezak
Paulette Erickson,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Peggy Mirlenbrink,
aunt of Lori Carsten
Peter Wilkie
Phil Kasik
Ruth Kaduke,
niece of Herb & Joyce Smyers
Teri Tuffner,
aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore,
friend of Mike Pelton
Theresa Ybanez,
great niece of Laura Fruit
The family and friends of Toni Potenza Moya,
daughter of Harriett Potenza & Craig Harris
Parents of Tiffany Sellman
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4/07 - Andy Hanson
4/08 - Win Murray
4/09 - Eric Boeckmann
4/10 - Mac Weber
4/11 - Carolyn Bozek
4/11 - Jessie Fronk
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4/11 - Dom Garino
4/12 - Alena Cushman
4/16 - Dick Martinaitis
4/16 - Rick Remiker
4/16 - Jack Rodos
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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. You can continue to
email Patrick
with any questions about financial issues, including setting up electronic giving on a one-time or recurring basis (there is no fee to use your checking or savings account.) 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 - (708) 505-5409
.
Pastor Erik is checking the U.S. Mail daily. The mailbox is also now a locking box, so please feel comfortable dropping off correspondence directly (including contributions).
Please do not come to the church office.
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more Information.
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