Dear Friends,
One of my favorite parts about our church life right now is the variety of ways that we’ve been finding to connect with others. Many of you have taken advantage of these new activities and you’re finding connection with one another and with God. This week during our Midday Prayer session on Tuesday we explored the creative prayer method of writing prayers in the acrostic form. This form of prayer involves writing a word down a page vertically and then writing words or phrases using the letters of the vertical word. A visual example might help understand what I’m describing! Here’s a prayer that I wrote during our session:
B
ehind the masks I wonder whether people are smiling.
R
eading eyes is so difficult and leaves unspoken tension.
E
ase the distance between us, dear God,
A
s we try to communicate with people.
T
each us new ways of caring for one another.
H
elp us to love people and give us new ways to
E
xperience connection with those around us.
As you can see, I chose the word “breathe” as I’ve been thinking a lot about how our time during COVID has revolved a great deal around our breathing and the transmission of the virus through breath. At the same time, several of the scripture texts we have looked at during COVID have also been about breath — particularly about God breathing life into humanity. Like water, breathing can bring about various emotions.
I suggest you take a moment and grab a piece of scratch paper and give an acrostic prayer a try! Like I said, you can use phrases like I did, or even just a word for each letter. Send me your prayers be email if you’d like! Or share with a friend. Also, feel free to join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays for prayer practices, including creative prayers like this one!
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday as we continue with our new sermon series in Paul’s letter to the Romans - Broken & Beautiful. With many people taking trips or other time outside these days, remember that you can always catch our services later on YouTube!
Finally, two quick things:
mulch day is coming on Saturday morning
! Please email
Matt Mosher
if you can help us out. We’ll be having a fun, socially-distanced time spreading mulch throughout the campus. I might even have my overalls on (although it might be too warm for that!) Second,
don’t forget to purchase PCWS logo-wear
… there are some great new summer items, including polos and exercise shirts.
Have a great day, and stay cool!
Peace,
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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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Everyone is invited to come to church this Saturday, starting at 10:00 a.m. to spread mulch around the property. Everyone will work at a social distance and help beautify the church grounds.
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Wear the PCWS logo in style!
Our Summer Style Shop is Now Open! We are excited to announce we have selected summer apparel with our logo screen-printed in a variety of styles for men and women.
Visit
our store
to see the styles available (2 styles of Trucker hats, t-shirts and polo shirts for men and women.) There are links that will take you to the order form. When you place your order, you will be asked to pay for your items, and you will have the option to have your order (except for hats) shipped to your home for an additional fee - or to PCWS for free. Place your order before the
store closes this Friday, July 17 - orders will arrive by the end of July.
Have an idea for items you'd like to have with the new logo? Contact
Michelle Hennessy
, Welcoming Elder with your suggestion.
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Summer Mission Project Book Drive!
We have already delivered our original goal of 2,184 books to Bernie's Book Bank (
gently used children’s books - birth through 6
th
grade reading level)
.
As of last Saturday, we've collected
3,520
Books!
We are now aiming for 4,368 books
. And we would love to beat this goal, too!!!
Please bring your books to the bins outside the doors from the parking lot entrance. Want to learn more about our book drive,
visit our website
!
If you have immediate questions about the book drive or what books are desired feel free to contact
Janet Andersen
.
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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
Family & friends of Cheryl Donchez
Dorcas Dvorak,
friend of the Merrifield family
Elaine Wood
Family and friends of Paul,
cousin of Elizabeth Slezak
Family and friends of Wayne Filar,
Candice Mares’ cousin
Gary Mirlenbrink,
uncle of Lori Carsten
Holly Oliver,
daughter of Mary Kae Headland
The family of Inez Martinez,
friend of the Merrifield family
Jan Fortina
John Bliss,
friend of Mindy McMahon
John Kregg
Joshua Haberkorn,
grandson of Shirley Pine
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Kathleen Kircher
Laura Querry,
daughter of Becky & Larry Glascock
Laurie Merrifield
Marc Goldstein,
friend of Carol Ulreich
Marc Ladene,
friend of the Slezaks
Margaret and Don Swaar,
aunt and uncle of Kay Kelly and Jill Dold
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 Sellm
an
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, or videoconference), please reach out to
Joyce Rodos
, the Stephen Ministry leader.
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7/16 Isabella Davia
7/17 Hannah Lombardi
7/19 Harriett Potenza
7/20 Katie De Vries
7/23 Jamie Smith
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7/23 Katie Pendleton
7/24 David Slezak
7/25 Diane Bonner
7/26 Adam Hanson
7/26 Kathleen Kircher
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What are You Celebrating?
We know there are many milestones happening in our community - birthdays, anniversaries, graduations. How have you been celebrating milestones during our time of social distancing and stay-at-home? Send photos to
mhennessy@presbyws.org
for inclusion in the Weekly Connection!
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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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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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Amazon Shopping?
In this unusual time, with so many of us ordering on Amazon, please remember to use
smile.amazon.com
and designate Presbyterian Church of Western Springs as your charitable organization. This does not change your cost, but enables Amazon to contribute a small portion of the sale to the church, above and beyond your regular giving.
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Remember PCWS in your will and estate planning.
Please contact Pastor Erik for more Information.
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