Dear friends,
This past Tuesday the Christian church celebrated Candlemas which is a less-known day of celebration marking the final day of the Christmas season, coming 40 days after the celebration of the birth of Christ. Candlemas marks the presentation of Jesus at the Temple by his parents. I’m sure for many of you, Christmas is long-packed away by now, but how interesting that for the Church, Christmas and Epiphany have been still going!
I’ll confess, if I haven’t already told you this, that I didn’t really decorate much for Christmas this year at home. It was just going to be me and the cats and I was worried that they’d wreak havoc with a tree anyway, so I didn’t decorate other than a wreath on the front door and a potted arrangement on the porch (and of course the lights I left up last year!). For the outside world, I decorated, but my inner home abstained. In some ways this image reflected more honestly how I felt about Christmas this year. On the outside I put up a wreath, but on the inside I quietly acknowledged the loss that this long season has represented for me and for so many of us.
It is a wonder to me that this year a short two weeks after Candlemas we begin the season of Lent. Ironically, as we move toward Lent, I’m feeling equally as ambivalent as I felt about Christmas! There’s a part of me that wants to put up my Christmas decorations as a defiant stand against the manufactured-feeling somberness of the Lenten season. Do I really need any more reminders of mortality as we’ve watched death and the fear of death swallow our society this past year? Do I need to see the darkening of our worship spaces when darkness has been dominating our news and our conversations? I don’t have good answers to these questions and I’m sure I will wrestle with them throughout the Lenten season. And perhaps, my discomfort, and perhaps your discomfort, is precisely why we need the 40 days to prepare for Easter, because, if I’m being completely candid, I’m feeling mixed emotions about Easter, too.
So, with all of the mixed emotions, we will, indeed, begin our Lenten journey with one another on Ash Wednesday, February 17, with a worship service via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. I hope to see you there for this contemplative evening as we deliberately step into the time of preparation for Easter, but also this season of reflection. We will return next year to our supper before the service, but this year you're invited to join us from your home.
I want to also invite you to consider being a part of our collective Lenten journey. This year we’ll be having daily reflections written by folks in our PCWS community. The reflections will be sent out by email and will include a scripture reference, a reflection, and a prayer for the day. Would you be willing to write a brief reflection? If so, please send me an email (you can reply to this note) and early next week you’ll be provided with a scripture selection. If you’re at all anxious about this, I hope you’ll consider clicking reply and taking the chance! I promise you won’t be alone and Lottie or I will work with you as you prepare your brief reflection.
I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday. We’ll be celebrating the Lord’s Supper, so you are encouraged to have some form of bread and fruit of the vine with you.
Peace,
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Watch our Worship Services Live
Sunday morning @ 9:30 a.m.
We will Celebrate Communion this Sunday
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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 Continue to Fill the can and
Support Second Baptist Church of La Grange Food Pantry
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
Bill Ingersoll
Brent Young, son-in-law of Larry & Becky Glasscock
Caryle Aitken Wilkie
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
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn, grandson of Shirley Pine
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Julie Garino
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 Coates, husband of Stephanie Coates
Steve, friend of McMahon Family
Teri Tuffner, aunt of Candice Mares
Terry Moore, friend of Mike Pelton
Wendy Montague, friend of Candice Mares
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Stephen Ministers Are Available
Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members trained to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing a difficult time in life. Are you, or someone you know, struggling with a situation such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, depression or isolation? Stephen Ministers can help!
Stephen Ministers are matched with the individual and meet confidentially with that person on a weekly basis to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. The caring relationship lasts as long as the need for care exists. If you are interested in learning more about Stephen Ministry, please email Pastor Erik or Joyce Rodos.
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2/4 Jim McMahon
2/5 Jim Koning
2/7 Joyce Habermann
2/7 Judy McAtee
2/9 Kevin Remiker
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2/11 Laura Fruit
2/11 Tom Wennerstrum
2/12 Shirley Pine
2/13 Rich Haeske
2/15 Andrew Millis
2/15 Laura Gertsmeier
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Ministry Support
During this time of virtual worship all are invited to continue supporting the mission and ministry of PCWS. There are 2 convenient ways:
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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.
If you choose to use a credit card, we appreciate if you will include the amount of the fee charged by the credit card company.
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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 during the pandemic. Our office staff are 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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