Dear friends,
Just when I thought that Spring was here to stay, the weather this week has had a little return to the cold. But the landscape is still so different from winter, right? The green is taking over and seems persistent even in the midst of the colder weather. There’s something about the persistence of changing weather. Winter may push back on Spring, but it will soon give way. We know that.
We may not feel it always, but deep down we know it.
I continue to feel like I’m waiting for our Spring - for our reality to change, and for us to be back together. On much larger scales, others are making these decisions throughout the country as schools, businesses, and governments look toward the same goal. We don’t know when it will be, but I can tell you that it likely won’t be for several weeks. For the foreseeable future, we are operating with an active online presence. There’s certainly some mourning for me in this, but rather than ignore the reality, I think it is important to name it and identify it.
But like the Winter that doesn’t want to surrender,
it will end
. We will return together to our Sanctuary and we will worship with and beside one another.
Please don’t forget this.
Don’t lose sight of the future, even while you sit with the present sorrow of the reality. In the midst of it all, I also hope you're finding ways to connect with others. Sometimes even a note or phone call can make a significant difference.
This Sunday is Mother’s Day and in worship we’ll be concluding the sermon series on Women of the Old Testament by looking at Samson’s Mother. She and her husband do the hard work of raising a challenging child where it constantly felt like an uphill battle despite their best efforts! (Amen?!) We’ll learn from her a little bit about perseverance, but a lot about listening to God. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Peace,
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Pastor Erik
PS, This morning is the first session of the Early Risers Book Study. We’re reading a book called
Liturgy of the Ordinary - Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
.
Email me
if you’d like a copy of the book or if you’d like to join us. Even if you miss this morning, you can still join us starting next week. This is a six-week long discussion group on Thursday mornings from 7-8 a.m. utilizing Zoom.
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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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Join by clicking the picture above, or through the Zoom app on your phone, tablet, or computer by entering this Meeting ID: 571 092 483.
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Announcing PCWS Summer Mission Project Benefitting Bernie’s Book Bank!
As we shared during worship last Sunday, the Mission Committee is thrilled to announce 2020 Summer Mission project in support of for
Bernie's Book Bank
. Through the PCWS book drive, we will help this vital organization process and distribute books to under-served infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout the Chicagoland area. Bernie’s distributes quality new and gently used children’s books to provide book ownership among children. In the 10 years since their founding, they had placed
15
MILLION
books into the hands of children who don’t have books.
Starting our book drive this month seems a perfect time for our housebound congregation. As we continue our 'stay-in-place' protocol during the month of May,
we ask you to check around your home for gently used books that would be appropriate for children from birth through 6th grade reading level.
The books can be fiction, non-fiction, chapter books, picture books and everything in between. Bernie’s won’t accept collecting textbooks, dictionaries, coloring books or religious books. Bi-lingual books are accepted as long as English is one of the languages.
Watch the Weekly Connection and the PCWS website for more information about our summer mission project in the coming weeks and start collecting used and new books!! If you have immediate questions about the book drive or what books are desired feel free to contact
Janet Andersen
.
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Building Strength and Resilience in Trying Times
On April 29, 2020, Jane Strunk Anderson returned to PCWS to lead an online interactive workshop called “Building Strength and Resilience in Trying Times.” Jane guided the group in some strength-identification exercises and facilitated engaging discussion.
Click here
to view the hour-long workshop recording.
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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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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 Anderson
Betty Toft
Billye Dvorak
Brent Young,
son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Cheryl Donchez,
friend of Theresa & Condy Dixon
David Young,
nephew of Amy Malone
Dorcas Dvorak,
friend of the Merrifield family
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
Laura Querry,
daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
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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
Michael De Vries
Michael,
friend of Jane Norman
Mike Kelly,
friend of Candice Mares
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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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, or videoconference), please reach out to
Joyce Rodos
, the Stephen Ministry leader.
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5/7 David Boxell
5/8 Laura Barnes
5/8 Jessi Bozek
5/8 Pierce Wilson
5/8 Zelda Kozma
5/9 Greg Strohl
5/10 Nancy Glickman
5/10 Lexi McClintock
5/11 Casey Leslie
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5/12 Janet Burt
5/12 Joe Benson
5/13 David Skjei
5/15 Kathy Wennerstrum
5/16 Drew Petersen
5/18 Brian Sullivan
5/18 Julie Tinaglia
5/19 Joyce Smyers
5/20 Abby Sindelar
5/20 Megan Sindelar
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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 - (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).
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more Information.
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