Our Life Together Today

April 14, 2020

www.presbyws.org

Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Alleluia! I don’t know about you, but I needed an Easter celebration yesterday . I needed the motivation to find joy. I think sometimes the liturgical calendar can do that. Most years, I think for me I need Lent to remind me to slow down and examine my life. Most years I need Advent to help me to be expectant for what God will do in the world and my life. This year, though, I’ve already been plenty expectant and plenty introspective. What I needed - what I think we all need - is a reminder to shout Alleluia! from wherever we are. In case you haven't had a chance to do so yet, here's a link to the mosaic “Alleluia!” poster that you can print, color, and display! (Don't forget to send me photos, or post to social media!)

So, where do we go from here? We are in the season of Easter. In this season, I encourage you to begin to live into this new normal. Acknowledge the patterns you’ve created. Allow yourself the grace to feel your range of emotions, but also give yourself the agency to control the things you can control.

Traditionally during Lent people like to join the spiritual practice of giving something up. The goal is that by sacrificing something we love we might be directed more toward God. For some people this works. During this next chapter of our journey, I want to encourage you to do the opposite! Find something that you love and can still enjoy. And then take some time and give thanks to God for that gift in your life. You might do this daily, and keep a journal or list, or you might choose the same thing to thank God for each day - particularly if you need a reminder.

I’ll see you on Sunday! As I mentioned in my email on Easter afternoon, we know that (especially this week) some folks are having trouble accessing the live services on Facebook. I’ve figured out where the problem came and will have it worked out by the weekend along with a backup live option in case you still can’t see the service! We truly want everyone to be a part of the service.

Peace,

Pastor Erik

P.S. Maybe in this Easter season you might try joining us during our weekday midday prayer? The link and information are below - all are welcome and I’d love to see you there!

Sunday Sermons Available Online

No matter where you may be in the world, you can feel close to PCWS!

Click here to view previous Sunday worship videos and bulletins.

Click on the image above to view our 6:00 a.m. sunrise worship video.

Click on the image above view the video of our Easter worship 9:30 a.m. service. Click here for the 9:30 am worship bulletin.

Let’s Fill the Can!

Your response has been amazing! We continue to receive contributions to the Second Baptist Church of La Grange food pantry. Let's keep it up! Please come by and do a “drive by” drop-off and give a short "honk" to say hello! Let’s fill the can!

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!

Donate Online

Please Pray for:

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

David Young, nephew of Amy Malone

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

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

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

4/16 - Dick Martinaitis

4/16 - Rick Remiker

4/16 - Jack Rodos

4/17 - Chris Lee

4/17 - Piper Murray

4/20 - Zach Karstens

4/20 - Ruth Riordan

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.